REGISTRATION: Opens at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 4th by the pool area at the GTYC & Captain‘s Table REGISTRATION COST: $200 per boat which includes 4 anglers. Each additional angler $100 FISHING: 6:00 am – 4:00 pm Friday – Sunday, March 6th - 8th WEIGH IN: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at the Barcadere Marina & Channel Wharf AWARDS PRESENTATION: 7:00 pm on Monday, March 9th upstairs at the GTYC REGISTER ONLINE NOW AT FISHCAYMAN.COM MARCH 6TH - 8TH, 2020 with over $55,000 in cash and prizes to be won and giveaways for all participants. BK Big Fish is proud to be partnering with the YMCA of the Cayman Islands. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Monday, 17 February 2020 NEWS Coronavirus: Isolated patients cleared Page 2 BUSINESS Collaborative robots are the future Page 12 Smith Barcadere plans halted amid outcry Page 4 Boyz 2 Men treat moms to special evening Page 5 5 year old battles leukaemia Page 6 a Traffic: A tale of two territories Pages 10 and 11 Photo: Courtney PlattMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 1917 (R) 12:40 | 7:00 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:40 | 7:00 BIRDS OF PREY (R) 12:55 VIP | 3:55 | 7:00 | 9:35 VIP BLUMHOUSE’S FANTASY ISLAND (PG-13) 1:15 | 3:45 | 6:30 | 6:55 VIP | 9:50 DOLITTLE (PG) 3:55 | 9:50 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 12:50 | 4:05 | 6:40 | 9:10 THE PHOTOGRAPH (PG-13) 1:10 | 3:50 | 6:45 | 9:25 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KEVIN MORALES Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 85°F 74°F HIGH LOW WINDS Easterly 15 to 20 knots. SEA STATE Rough with wave heights of 6 to 8 feet. A small craft warning is in effect. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Public Health: We have no cases of coronavirus RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Local health officials have confirmed that the Cayman Islands does not have any cases, or suspected cases, of coronavirus or COVID-19. It comes after all patients who were isolated in their homes were cleared over the weekend. These patients, who had been isolated due to recent travel to China, have now passed the 14-day incubation period for the virus. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, in an emailed response to queries from the Cayman Compass on Friday, said the patients are now free to move around. “Some have left the island. Three persons were left under voluntary isolation and [Friday] was their last day. After [Saturday], they are allowed to move around freely. None of the persons being monitored have had any symptoms,” he said. Williams-Rodriguez did not share the total number of patients who were under voluntary isolation, only saying it was “very small”. As of 15 Feb., the World Health Organization reported 50,580 laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases globally; of those, 1,527 were new. The death toll in mainland China rose to 1,524. Five deaths have been reported outside mainland China – in Taiwan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan and France. The virus has been reported in 25 countries. Williams-Rodriguez said there were no suspected cases so far in the Cayman Islands. He said Public Health is working on logistics for local testing for the virus. Until then, samples of any suspected cases will have to be sent to the Caribbean Regional Public Health Agency in Trinidad for testing. “The turnaround time [is] 5-10 days. The lab at the [HSA] is getting ready to start testing for the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in the next 3-4 weeks,” he added. Travel restrictions being drafted Last week, the Cayman Islands government announced that Cabinet had approved the issuance of new regulations to control the entry of people who have a recent travel history to mainland China. “The intention is to limit entry for any person who has travelled to, from or through mainland China within a period of fourteen days or less immediately preceding arrival in the Cayman Islands,” it said in its statement. In its emailed response to the Compass, the Government Information Service said those restrictions will only take effect when the regulations are gazetted. The regulations are still being drafted and, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee, they will be ready shortly. The new regulations, under Section 34 of the Public Health Law, will restrict the entry of visitors by aircraft or ship to the Cayman Islands if they have had a recent mainland China travel history. This does not include travel to Hong Kong and Macau, both of which are semi-autonomous regions within China. Cayman nationals and returning residents who have been to mainland China will be subject to quarantine and surveillance for up to 14 days from the date of departure from mainland China, at a location to be determined by the medical officer of health which, in some cases, may be their homes. The Health Services Authority has designated an area for Cayman’s coronavirus response. However, the Government Information Service said it is not for quarantine. “It will be part of the hospital contingency plan for management of patients with symptoms requiring admission and relevant travel history (i.e., suspected of COVID-19). Returning residents who are well will be quarantined under the direction of the Medical Officer of Health, and this is likely to be at their own homes,” a GIS spokesman told the Compass in an email. “There are emergency plans for quarantine of visitors should they reach our shores in spite of the travel restrictions in place,” the spokesman added. The government has earmarked $100,000 for local quarantine purposes. Health Minister Dwayne Seymour earlier had indicated that he would be seeking $1 million for local response preparations. GIS said the additional sum is being developed in a proposal to be considered by Cabinet. Isolated patients cleared Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, medical officer of health Coronavirus statistics China 50,054 laboratory-confirmed (1,506 new) 1,524 deaths (121 new) Outside of mainland China 526 laboratory-confirmed (21 new) 5 deaths The new regulations, under Section 34 of the Public Health Law, will restrict the entry of visitors by aircraft or ship to the Cayman Islands if they have had a recent mainland China travel history 2cayman compass 3 MONDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2020FridAY'S SOLUTiONS 1234567 8 9 10 11 12131415 1617 1819 20212223 24 25 26 27 1234567 8 9 10 11 12131415 1617 1819 20212223 24 25 26 27 Puzzle 16301 ACROSS: 1 Tetanus, 5 Cower, 8 With a will, 9 Rip, 10 Rage, 12 Stand out, 14 Profit, 15 Regard, 17 Alsatian, 18 Stag, 21 Run, 22 Guarantee, 24 Erect, 25 Surfeit. DOWN: 1 Tower, 2 Tot, 3 Neat, 4 Shifty, 5 Colander, 6 Work of art, 7 Reputed, 11 Good sense, 13 Sit tight, 14 Prairie, 16 Casals, 19 Great, 20 Fair, 23 Tie. ACrOSS 1 Europe’s longest river (5) 8 Certain to succeed (4-4) 9 Effrontery (5) 10 Clothing industry (3,5) 11 Little-used side road (5) 12 To stitch (3) 16 Pitch tents (6) 17 Historical records (6) 18 Strong desire (3) 23 In front (5) 24 Almost (4-4) 25 Deceive (5) 26 Remain in hiding (3,5) 27 Australian city (5) dOWN 2 Singly (3,2,3) 3 Betray (4,4) 4 Compassionate (6) 5 Impressively large (5) 6 Full of life (5) 7 Horizontal (5) 12 Observe secretly (3) 13 Pallid (3) 14 Having command (2,6) 15 Distinct (5-3) 19 Participate (6) 20 Woven ribbed fabric (5) 21 Young eel (5) 22 Rile (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16303 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. Government commits to more public consultation RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Plans to enhance Smith Barca- dere have been put on hold until further public consultation is held and agreement on a way forward is found, officials announced Saturday. They made the undertaking at a ‘protest picnic’ organised by the group People for the Protection of Smith Barcadere at the popular Sound Church Street beach. A meeting has been planned for the South Sound Community Centre to discuss the proposed plans. A date for the meeting is yet to be confirmed. Infrastructure Minister Joey Hew, addressing the protest, which was attended by about 200 people, said government is committed to finding a solution. “We now have an opportunity and we are showing the willingness to sit down and discuss it, so that is where we are. There’s no trick, there’s no wool over your eyes. There’s nothing happening. Nothing will happen until the committee has an opportunity to sit down with the councillor [Barbara Conolly] and with your committee, discuss the plans and come up with a solution that benefits the entire country as a whole,” he told the protesters. The minister said there appeared to be a breakdown in communication over the progress of the project. “Miss Barbara [Conolly] and myself, even as a minister, only became aware of the tender when you all did,” Hew said. The latest developments in the project were first highlighted by the Cayman Compass last month after a tender was posted on government’s public procurement portal. Plans posted with the tender showed a 45-car parking lot, an arch at the beach entrance, walkways, additional bathroom blocks and timber cabanas. A Ministry of Commerce and Infrastructure statement issued in early February showed a revised plan with a smaller parking lot, no arch and walkways. It said work would be limited to the land adjacent to the beach that was purchased by government in 2016. It also stated work was expected to begin in March. However, on Saturday, Infrastructure Ministry Deputy Chief Officer Tristan Hydes said that was not the case. He said no work was starting in March. Tempers flared at the meeting when Smith Barcadere Committee chairman A.L. Thompson attempted to explain why the committee felt the parking lot was necessary. He said it was the “number one problem”. Thompson, who lives opposite the beach, said parking is problematic on Sundays and public holidays as people park along the roadside, in his driveway and on the sidewalk. However, Cruise Port Referendum’s Mario Rankin challenged Thompson on his position, calling on him to give up some of his land for parking. Protesters also questioned why two stakes had been planted on the land near the beach. Hydes said he had instructed Lands and Survey surveyors to place the stakes so attendees would see where the work would be done, and it was not placed there as an indication that work was starting. He also defended the plans, telling protesters that renderings that appeared in the Compass were not the final plans and that the intention was to revise what was presented as is the case during the tendering process. He also said no information can be shared during that process. Hew built on Hydes’ point, saying that tenders can involve “months and months” of negotiations after the preferred bidder has been selected and, at that time, numerous changes can be made. “They have not signed any contracts and even after contracts are signed, you can still make changes,” he said. The tender on the project remains in place. Calls were made at the meeting to withdraw the tender on the project, but there was no commitment from the government officials present to do so. George Town South MLA Conolly said she was committed to working on a plan everyone will be happy with. Berna Cummins, one of the organisers of the demonstration, urged government officials to ensure when the beach land is registered that it is done as one parcel and all the covenants that apply to the beach are applied to the land adjacent. She added that the group is not against cruise shippers going to the beach and sharing the space, “but to a certain extent, we want to be able to enjoy the local eco- living here.” She said they want the beach to remain in its natural state. cartoon - No Fish Smith Barcadere project paused Government withdrew $5 million from the Environmental Protection Fund to buy the roughly three acres of land near Smith Barcadere in 2016. Opponents are clashing with the government over plans to add cabanas, decks and a parking lot to Smith Barcadere, which they say is ideal the way it is. 4RCIPS: We are awaiting applications RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Applications for road closures for Cayman’s new carnival events have not yet been sent to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service for approval. Last week, Culture Minister Dwayne Seymour announced changes to the initial single-carnival plan that was released last year. He said stakeholders had agreed to what he called “one-carnival week” which will see two separate street parades this year under the umbrella of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation. This means Batabano and CayMAS will still be held on separate days on Grand Cayman, requiring road closures on two days. The RCIPS, responding to queries from the Cayman Compass Friday about the closures, said no applications had been received. “The RCIPS notes the circulation from the Ministry of Culture in this matter and awaits receipt of road closure applications by the event organisers, which will be processed expeditiously,” the brief statement said. The new ‘unified Cayman Carnival’ will run from 9-18 May and comprise an opening parade on 9 May produced by the Batabano Committee, the Braccanal parade on 16 May by the Bracannal Committee, and a closing parade on Discovery Day Monday, 18 May, by CayMAS. The RCIPS did not respond to a question from the Compass on Police Commissioner Derek Byrne’s position on the carnival reverting to two separate days. However, last November, while testifying before Finance Committee, Byrne said two separate events remained a concern for his team. He said at that time, from the police perspective, the RCIPS queried why a single national event could not be held, since it was a matter of differences between two parties involved. The RCIPS’s position, he had said, was not that the police service could not manage or handle both events, but that there were two events in quick succession requiring very high levels of policing on the days. The new carnival compromise is a welcomed move for the Braccanal Committee, since the date of the CayMAS carnival will no longer clash with the street parade on Cayman Brac. “We are pleased with all the efforts that have helped bring us to a conclusion that facilitates residents and tourists being able to participate in both events. We look forward to a great turnout on the Brac,” said Braccanal Committee member Ventisha Conolly last week in the Culture Ministry statement announcing the new carnival line-up. Brent McLean, chairman of CayMAS, in that statement, said he believed that “these changes to the schedule have the potential to position Cayman as an attractive carnival destination within the region”. CayMAS has already started preparations to host its street parade on Discovery Day; however, this year’s event will be missing ICONZ, one of its biggest bands. The band, which is sponsored by Hurley’s Media Ltd, announced its withdrawal from CayMAS a week ago, saying this year it will be participating in the Batabano Carnival on Saturday, 9 May, after it was informed the CayMAS carnival road parade will take place on the Discovery Day public holiday. ICONZ has participated in CayMAS since 2017. The band said the CayMAS carnival conflicts with a major event that Hurley’s Media organises, the Cayman Billfish Rundown, an international fishing tournament commencing Monday, 18 May. The CayMAS parade will feature Swanky International and five other bands. Carnival road closures pending Masqueraders take part in the 2019 CayMas parade. CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky More than 30 boys from the Boyz 2 Men programme at John Gray High School attended an etiquette dinner that was all about treating the ‘first lady of their lives’. The 32 teens from John Gray High School who are participating in the programme took their mothers to a special dinner on Thursday at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. The mentorship initiative teaches boys a variety of life lessons and etiquette skills. Jonathan Clark, principal of John Gray High School, said the boys have been learning these skills for the past five years, in partnership with the hotel. “The Ritz was really fantastic in providing its good, fine-dining training, and tonight the boys are going to present (their) mothers with a rose, some are going to read poetry, and some are going to dance with their moms; it’s a very special night,” Clark said at the event. The programme, which was started 10 years ago, takes many forms in shaping the lives of these young men. Clark said. “In our school, they come to school in their shirt and tie ... we work on their etiquette and we work on their manners,” Clark said. Christopher Murray, John Gray counsellor and director of the Boyz 2 Men programme, said that it is really important that the boys know how to treat their mothers. Murray said if they know how to treat the true first lady of their lives – their mothers – then they can treat all ladies well. “They’re expected to open every door, pull out every chair, give their mothers red roses and sentimental words... It’s really just to make mommy feel really good tonight,” Murray said. He also thanked EY Cayman for sponsoring the food and the flowers, and The Ritz-Carlton for donating the use of the hotel’s ballroom. Boyz 2 Men treat moms to special evening Boyz 2 Men member, Kelano Bynes,15, and his mother Sue-Ann Bodden. Josue Lopez, left, with his mother Ulyamis Pena, and Geovani Swaby with his mother Ismaray Perez at the Boyz 2 Men dinner on Thursday. cayman compass news N news MONDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2020 5Family in need of assistance RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky At 5 years old, Martissah Sinclair is a typical toddler who loves to play and dress up, but she is facing the biggest battle of her young life. Martissah has leukaemia, and for the past few months she has been undergoing chemotherapy and extensive treatment to stave off deadly cancer cells from ravaging her frail body. “She has become very strong, she is always up and going and trying to keep everyone up,” her mother, Lovine Wilson- Sinclair, told the Cayman Compass last week in an interview. But little Martissah has not always been that way. The diagnosis Last April everything changed for her and her family. “Martissah had a fever on and off for one month and it would not leave her. We carried her to the emergency room and they gave her antibiotics and it was not working,” Wilson-Sinclair recalled. She said one morning, back in April, they were at their Crewe Road, George Town home when around 5am, Martissah went to her dad, Mark, and said she wanted to go to the doctor. When her father took her to the hospital, a nurse admitted her to paediatrics, where she was examined by Dr. Linden Swan. He ordered blood work on the child. “We got the results and they [Martissah and her father] were airlifted the next evening to Miami Baptist Hospital,” she said. Martissah was diagnosed with leukaemia. “No one ever had it in our family,” Wilson-Sinclair said, adding that she’d hoped the child simply had an infection “and when they went to Miami, they would say so.” However, when the results were confirmed, Wilson-Sinclair said, her life changed. “I could not sleep, I cried and cried and prayed for God to guard her. They [Martissah and her father] spent three months [in Miami] until she [came] back home,” she said. Wilson-Sinclair said when she saw her daughter after her first round of treatment, the child was weak. But, she said, “after three months, she was up and going. She was not really that sick.” Her treatments are being done in Miami. “When we go and spend the week with her, she is always energetic,” Wilson-Sinclair added. Martissah, she said, is the baby and ‘lady’ of the family. “She has a very demanding personality. She is very smart. She will let you know what she wants,” Wilson-Sinclair said, laughing. She said she knows her daughter’s personality, and is confident she will be fine. Challenges ahead Over the next 15 months, Martissah will have to undergo more life-saving treatments. For the Sinclairs, it will be a strain on their finances. With months of treatment and overseas travel ahead, Wilson-Sinclair said, it will be tough as she also has two other children under her care, that “we have to make sure to have transport, food, accommodation”. Last week, the Lions Club of Grand Cayman donated $5,000 to the family to help with Martissah’s treatment. The club made the donation to mark International Childhood Cancer Day, which is celebrated on 15 Feb. “Cost of cancer treatment is astronomical, and I am pleased that our club can lend support to the family of our young childhood thriver,” said Lions Club president Cordella Chollette. Chollette, accompanied by fellow club members, visited Martissah and her family at their George Town home. “I was very happy to be on hand to witness her still being a little girl, despite her challenges. We pray that a cure can be found soon,” Chollette said. For Wilson-Sinclair, those moments are precious, and having a helping hand was welcomed. “Words cannot explain how grateful we are for their [Lions Club] assistance. We appreciate it a lot. A girl child needs a lot of ... personal stuff. It really helps us in a lot of ways. They are a blessing in disguise and I appreciate it a lot,” she said. The mother of three said, since her daughter was diagnosed, she has seen the true face of Cayman generosity. At present, the Sinclairs also receive assistance from the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, the Health Services Authority, and their insurance provider. She said the staff at the HSA also held two cake sales to help raise money for Martissah. “We really appreciate all the help we have been getting, and the Cancer Society for all their help,” she said. To help the Sinclairs, contact Lovine Wilson-Sinclair at 326-8759. 5 year old battles leukaemia According to the American Cancer Society leukaemia is a cancer of the early blood-forming cells. It begins in the bone marrow, which is where new blood cells are made. Most often, leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, but some leukaemias start in other blood cell types. It is the most common cancer in children and teens, accounting for almost one out of three cancers in the US. What to look for? Symptoms can vary, but those with anaemia or low red blood cells may experience: • Feeling tired (fatigue) • Feeling weak • Feeling cold • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded • Shortness of breath • Paler skin Symptoms from lack of normal white blood cells: • Infections • Fever Symptoms from low blood platelet counts: • Easy bruising and bleeding • Frequent or severe nosebleeds • Bleeding gums Other symptoms include: • Bone or joint pain • Swelling of the abdomen (belly) • Swollen lymph nodes: • Coughing or trouble breathing • Swelling of the face and arms • Headaches, seizures, vomiting • Rashes or gum problems • Extreme fatigue and weakness What is leukaemia? Lions Club of Grand Cayman members Deborah Ebanks and Ian Yearwood, and club president Cordella Chollette present a $5,000 donation to 5-year-old Martissah Sinclair. cayman compass 6 news N news MONDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2020The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman named Five-Star Hotel in Forbes Travel Guide 2020 Star Awards. Forbes Travel Guide, the world-renowned and only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, announced its annual Star Rating list, presenting The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman with a new Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel award. The accolade is a testament to its Ladies and Gentlemen’s consistent dedication to provide personalized experiences and service to guests. The resort is proud and honored to be recognized as the first and only Five-Star Hotel in the Cayman Islands. For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com/grandcayman Instagram.com/ritzcarltongrandcayman cayman compass 7 MONDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2020Daily Horoscope THE LOCKHORNS By Bunny Hoest & John Reiner ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 19) You will start to work hard so that you can accomplish a lot in the next month because your ambi- tion is aroused! TAURUS (APRIL 20 TO MAY 20) Travel plans will be exciting in the next month. You also might explore opportunities in pub- lishing, the media, the law and medicine. GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20) Disputes about inheritances and shared property might arise in the next four to five weeks. Keep your wits about you and stay focused. CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22) You might feel annoyed with part- ners and close friends during the next five weeks. This means patience will be your best ally, because patience is the antidote to anger. LEO (JULY 23 TO AUG. 22) You will accomplish an enormous amount of work in the next month because you’re gung-ho to be productive and efficient in every- thing you do. VIRGO (AUG. 23 TO SEPT. 22) You have much to look forward to in the next five weeks because you will have lots of energy to play, socialize and explore romance and sports events. You also will enjoy fun activities. LIBRA (SEPT. 23 TO OCT. 22) Increased activity and chaos on the home front will be something you have to deal with in the next month. Do a little bit every day to stay on top of things. SCORPIO (OCT. 23 TO NOV. 21) You will read, write and talk with more vigor and enthusiasm in the month ahead. You also will be mentally sharp! SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 TO DEC. 21) Although you will work harder than usual to boost your earnings in the next month, you will also be spending big! Oh yes, money in, money out. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 TO JAN. 19) Fiery Mars is in your sign for the next five weeks boosting your energy, making you very assertive. This will help you accomplish whatever you want to do. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 TO FEB. 18) Be aware of people around you, because someone might be working against your own best interests in the next month. (If you think something fishy is going on, it is.) PISCES (FEB. 19 TO MARCH 20) Competition with a friend or a group might take place in the next month. Expect to be more phys- ically active with groups, clubs and organizations. BY FRANCES DRAKE MONday, FEbRuaRy 17, 2020 CuRTIS By Ray Billingsley bLONdIE By Y. Marshall PEaNuTS By Charles M. Shulz HägaR THE HORRIbLE By Chris Browne THE aMaZINg SPIdERMaN By Stan Lee and Alex Saviuk cayman compass MONDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2020cayman compass 9 MONDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2020Next >