Regulated in the Cayman Islands as a licensed insurer by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. Generali Worldwide is a trading name of Utmost Worldwide Limited. Registered Head Office address: Utmost Worldwide Limited, Utmost House, Hirzel Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands GY1 4PA. Regulated in Guernsey as a licensed insurer by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under the Insurance Business (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 (as amended). Incorporated in Guernsey under Company Registration No. 27151. Call us to learn how we can support your business today at 747-2000. www.generali-healthcare.com Global Reach, Local Touch. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 20 February 2020 Max 8 jet to fly to US for maintenance Page 2 Would Cayman ditch private cars for bus? Page 10 and 11 ‘The Illusion’ opens at Prospect Playhouse Page 9 Judge rules in favour of port challengers Page 3 Photo: Taneos RamsayMatinees (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 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 1917 (R) 12:40 | 7:00 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:55 VIP | 3:55 | 7:00 | 9:35 VIP BIRDS OF PREY (R) 1:00 | 4:00 VIP | 9:35 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 Maintenance journey to US scheduled for this weekend ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky After sitting inactive in a Cayman Airways hanger for nearly a year, one of the airline’s Boeing 737-Max 8 aircraft will take to the skies this weekend. A statement issued on behalf of Cayman Airways said the trip is a necessary maintenance flight for the plane, which was delivered to the airline 30 Nov. 2018. “For almost a year, the grounded Max aircraft have been maintained under an active storage maintenance program as specified by the manufacturer,” the airline’s president and CEO, Fabian Whorms, said in a statement. “Routine maintenance flights become necessary over time as part of this maintenance program and are being conducted in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands and Boeing.” Cayman Airways took its Max 8 planes out of operation in March last year during a global grounding of the aircraft following two fatal crashes that claimed the lives of 346 people. On board the maintenance flight will be an observer from the Civil Aviation Authority and a representative from Boeing. The exact date and time of the flight is unclear, but CAL officials say it is likely the flight will depart from the Owen Roberts International Airport on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. Following the completion of the maintenance flight, the Max 8 aircraft will be taken to a Boeing maintenance facility in the US, before returning to Cayman. “We are planning to shortly ferry VP-CIW to a US-based maintenance and storage facility to conduct some required maintenance work and to prepare the aircraft for return to service, which is generally expected to occur later this year,” Whorms said. On 1 Jan., the US Federal Aviation Authority, which is overseeing the investigations into the Boeing safety issues, stated that the latest documents submitted by the aircraft manufacturer have not pointed to any new “safety risks that were not already identified as part of the ongoing review of proposed modifications to the aircraft”. At this stage, it is still not clear when Max 8 planes will be given the all-clear to return to commercial flights. Cayman has two Max 8 planes, but only one will be heading to Boeing’s facility. “Our second Max, VP-CIX, which has not conducted any commercial flights since its March 2019 delivery, does not require the same level of maintenance at this time and will remain in the current active storage maintenance program on Grand Cayman,” said Whorms. Cayman Airways ordered four Max 8 planes prior to the international grounding of the aircraft. Two of those were delivered to Cayman and a third is in storage at a US Boeing facility. The fourth plane, which had been expected to be delivered sometime this year, has had its delivery date pushed back to 2021. Max 8 plane to make first flight in nearly a year 4 The number of Boeing 737-Max 8 planes ordered by Cayman Airways The first Boeing 737 Max 8, seen here arriving in Cayman on 30 Nov. 2018, will undertake a maintenance flight to the US at the weekend. Cayman Airways took its Max 8 planes out of operation in March last year during a global grounding of the aircraft following two fatal crashes that claimed the lives of 346 people . 2Government to appeal decision ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Justice Tim Owen on Wednesday ruled in favour of Cruise Port Referendum Cayman’s Shirley Roulstone and the National Trust in a judicial review of government’s planned referendum on the proposed $200 million cruise berthing and port facility. Delivering his judgment via videolink, the judge ruled that the Referendum Law, which was passed in October 2019 and which was specifically tailored for the port referendum, was incompatible with section 70 of the Constitution. He ruled that the Constitution requires a general law that governs all referendums. “For reasons of legality and on the basis that such a law will best guarantee the constitutional right to a fair and effective vote in a people-initiated, binding referendum, I find that the Referendum Law 2019 is incompatible with section 70 of the Constitution because it fails to satisfy the requirement for a general law governing all [section 70] referendums and is itself not in accordance with such a law,” Owen wrote in his ruling. He added that he would hear further arguments on the “appropriate relief” - in other words, how the situation can be remedied. Premier Alden McLaughlin said government intended to appeal the decision. In a brief statement issued after the ruling was delivered, the premier said, “Understandably, the ruling of Acting Judge Tim Owen QC of Matrix Chambers handed down this morning is not the outcome that the Government had hoped for. “While the Court determined that the Referendum Law was incompatible with section 70 of the Constitution, the question of the appropriate relief to be granted is still outstanding. We understand that it will take some time before an order on this issue is made.” He added, “Pending the Court’s final order, aside from the immediate issue of an appeal, the Government will take time to consider its next steps regarding the port project, and will issue another statement in due course.” Justice Owen, in his ruling, said it was “unfortunate” that no government had addressed the need for a general referendum law, despite recommendations made by the Constitutional Committee in 2011 and 2014. “Had this matter been addressed earlier, the uncertainty and, ultimately, as I have found, the incompatibility of the Referendum Law 2019 with the Constitution might well have been avoided,” he said. Arguments The judicial review challenged the law on the grounds that it was unfair, because it failed to address critical issues that would guarantee the protection of a citizen’s right to vote. Chris Buttler, who represents Roulstone, argued that without a general referendum law, there was an absence of provisions for voters’ registration; an absence of rules for campaign financing; a lack of clear rules on party political broadcasting; an absence of general rules on the formulation of the referendum issue, such as confirming it is an issue of national importance; and an absence of rules on providing objective information. Mark Shaw, QC, who led government’s legal team, argued that the law was fair, and that the aim of the judicial review was not to argue about the merits or demerits of the law. He argued that section 70 of the Constitution could be construed as calling for either a general law or framework to govern all referendums, or a specific law for each referendum, or both. Ultimately, Owen interpreted the law to mean there was a need for a general law/framework to govern all referendums. Although the justice declared the Referendum Law 2019 incompatible with the Constitution, he did not strike it down, nor did he make any orders on how government should proceed, in light of his ruling. Reactions For Roulstone, the National Trust and CPR, Owen’s ruling affirmed their calls for a fair process that protects voter rights. “This is what happens when a little group of people get together and do wonderful things,” said Roulstone, speaking outside court following the ruling. “This win is on behalf of all of the people of the Cayman Islands, and it should be [a] warning to the government that they are on notice to do things the right way or they will have us on their backs.” The ruling will inevitably cause a further delay to the referendum process, which Roulstone said she welcomed. “We were never in a rush to have a referendum,” she said, “We wanted a fair, just referendum for our people.” A small costs application was made by the National Trust immediately after the judgment. National Trust vice chairman Peter Davey said, “Needless to say, we’ve very pleased with the outcome and we hope that this dock – if it ever does happen – is built in the right way.” In a later statement, the National Trust said it welcomed the government’s confirmation that there will be a general referendum law “setting out clear and fair rules for referendums”, adding, “We invite the Cayman Islands Government to engage with all stakeholders - including CPR and the National Trust - when framing the general referendum law so that it is seen to be fit for purpose." Government already had amended the question it planned to use for the referendum. However, CPR Cayman representatives said the new wording still fell short of addressing concerns raised in the judicial review. Following the court’s decision, Leader of the Opposition Arden McLean in a statement called on the government to consider abandoning the cruise berthing project and “to get on with other initiatives which are needed in the country”. Citing the widespread opposition to the project, “the potential for destroying natural resources and the government’s failure to justify their business case for the piers”, McLean questioned the government’s motivation for taking the process to this point. “It is time the government abandon this mission to nowhere. The people have spoken and now the courts have found the government’s attempts to manipulate the referendum process unconstitutional. This is serious and the government needs to reflect on what message they are sending to the people they claim to represent.” Meanwhile, North Side MLA Ezzard Miller called on government to expedite its efforts to create a general referendum law. “What I would hope is that the government would take heed and they would get busy and do a proper referendum law with wide consultation,” Miller told the Cayman Compass. “I would like to see that brought to parliament before the end of March,” he added. He said he hoped Wednesday’s ruling would serve as a message to government. “We have to trust the people, and one of the things that is not happening enough in this country is allowing the people to participate. They should not have to go to court to get these kinds of judicial reviews,” Miller said. What happens next? The status of the people- initiated referendum is unclear for now. The referendum cannot take place until a new or amended law is in place or the government's appeal is settled. This means there is no way to tell when voters will get a chance to cast their ballots on the proposed project. During the judicial review hearing, government’s legal team said the government had committed to passing a general referendum law to govern all referendums in the second half of 2020. CPR says until a decision is made, it will ramp up efforts to get voters to register. “We want people to get registered to vote, that is the most important thing right now,” said Roulstone. “Every Caymanian that is 18 years old must get registered to vote. This is a part of history that you want to be a part of, and you don’t want this to pass you by.” Judge rules in favour of port challengers Cruise Port Referendum Cayman campaigner Shirley Roulstone, right, with her lawyer Kate McClymont outside court Wednesday after Justice Tim Owen ruled in her favour. National Trust vice chairman Peter Davey Shirley Roulstone addresses the media following Wednesday's court ruling. 3123456 7 89 1011 12131415 16 17181920 2122 23 123456 7 89 1011 12131415 16 17181920 2122 23 ACROSS 1 Slapstick (10) 8 Blindly intolerant believer (5) 9 Shakespearean tragic heroine (7) 10 Swarm over (7) 11 Slight error (5) 12 To struggle (6) 14 Type of bath sponge (6) 17 A lightweight wood (5) 19 Unpaid player (7) 21 A sheer dress fabric (7) 22 Make sense (3,2) 23 Deal an effective blow (6,4) DOWN 2 Inattention (7) 3 Provide food (5) 4 Exist in plenty (6) 5 Shakespeare tragedy (7) 6 Flowering bulbous plant (5) 7 Accept blame (4,3,3) 8 Very detailed (4-2-4) 13 Novice (7) 15 Personal liberty (7) 16 A table linen fabric (6) 18 Capital of Nigeria (5) 20 As if flooded (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16306 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. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16305 ACROSS: 1 Recoil, 4 Prompt, 9 Shudder, 10 Spurn, 11 Libel, 12 Sky blue, 13 Case in point, 18 Frantic, 20 Satan, 22 Order, 23 Nourish, 24 Tender, 25 Mellow. DOWN: 1 Rustle, 2 Crumb, 3 Indulge, 5 Rusty, 6 Maudlin, 7 Tunnel, 8 Pros and cons, 14 Abandon, 15 Obscure, 16 Afloat, 17 Anyhow, 19 Terse, 21 Trial. cartoon Blacklisted RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The 28 Jan. earthquake that struck Cayman not only rattled the island, but property owners as well, as local insurer Island Heritage has said it noted an uptick in queries about earthquake coverage. “We have fielded a higher volume of queries relating to existing customers seeking to verify that an earthquake is covered under their policy,” said Island Heritage’s senior vice president and chief underwriting officer, Evelyn Tibbetts-Farrar. In response to queries from the Cayman Compass, Tibbetts- Farrar said that despite the queries, the insurance company has not experienced an abnormal increase in requests for property insurance quotations since the 7.7 magnitude earthquake. Earthquake aftermath impact The earthquake was felt in Cayman, Jamaica, Cuba and South Florida. There were no reported deaths or major structural damage. The US Geological Survey reported at least 28 aftershocks in the vicinity of the Cayman Islands following the 28 Jan. earthquake. The last aftershock was recorded on 2 Feb. A tsunami warning was issued within minutes of the earthquake. In the aftermath of the seismic event, thousands of motorists were stuck in traffic in George Town as they tried to get out of their workplaces and head to local schools to collect their children and to their homes to check their properties. Hazard Management Cayman Islands, Premier Alden McLaughlin and local lawmakers expressed concern over the widespread gridlock, and committed to increasing efforts to educate the public on what to do during and after an earthquake and in response to tsunami alerts. A number of sinkholes were reported across all three islands. The Water Authority sustained some damage to its underground pipeline network, and in the hours following the earthquake it conducted rolling service interruptions to assess and carry out repairs. Some of those repairs are still ongoing. Most properties on the islands fared better. “Fortunately, it appears that very few properties incurred structural damage after the January earthquake,” Island Heritage’s claims manager Patrice Myles said. She added that reported property losses following the earthquake require damage assessments, adding, “The extent of said assessments will largely fall to the magnitude of the damage sustained.” Tibbetts-Farrar pointed out that in the Cayman market, most full- property-cover policies come with earthquake coverage, including floods or overflow of the sea caused by an earthquake “since most banks require full coverage in order to meet the requirements for a mortgage”. She pointed out that an exception to this would be a policyholder specifically asking for that clause to be deleted. “However, this is rare,” she said. What should homeowners look for with insurance coverage? For many homeowners, the possibility of another earthquake still remains a matter of concern. Tibbetts-Farrar suggested that customers, in addition to ensuring that their policy has earthquake cover, should ask key questions to make sure they are protected from losses. When shopping around for a policy, she said, it is important to ask “whether this extends to cover flood, tsunami or overflow of the sea caused by the earthquake, and what the deductible is relating to these perils”. The deductible is the amount the policyholder will be responsible for paying in the event of a covered loss. “Deductibles tend to be higher for catastrophe losses that affect a large proportion of the pool of policyholders versus events that affect a single insured or small amount of policyholders simultaneously, such as a house fire,” Tibbetts-Farrar added. Myles said before picking an insurance policy customers should make sure the perils covered meet desired needs, as well as those of any other interested party, such as their bank. “Know your deductibles, so you understand how much of any loss you will be responsible for, and always be sure that your sum insured represents the current replacement value of your property to avoid under-insurance penalties,” she advised. Structural assessments Myles said when it comes to structural assessments, those are largely down to the scale of the damage. “We would encourage clients with material structural damage to insured buildings/property to photograph the evidence, as it may worsen over time, and to secure the services of a structural engineer to survey the damaged area,” she said. Once the scope of the damage is assessed by the engineer, Myles said, property owners should obtain repair quotes from a contractor. Insurer: Earthquake coverage a must Several sinkholes appeared throughout the islands following the 28 Jan. 7.7 magnitude earthquake. 4cayman compass 5 news N news THURSDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2020Ash Wednesday Please be advised that the Cayman Compass will not be published on Wednesday, 26 Feb., 2020 For more information call 949-5111 or email at sales@compassmedia.ky | classifieds@compassmedia.ky AD BOOKING DEADLINES EDITION DEADLINE Wednesday, 26 Feb. No Publication Thursday, 27 Feb. Friday, 21 Feb. Friday, 28 Feb. Monday, 24 Feb. Booking Deadline: 10am | Artwork Deadline: 3pm Honour those actively preserving and celebrating Caymanian cultural heritage. NATIONAL ARTS & CULTURE AWARDS Annual National Arts & Culture Awards 26 th Thursday, 20 February 7 p.m. Red Carpet & Cocktail Reception 8 p.m. Awards Presentation Harquail Theatre Livestreamed on the Cayman Compass Facebook & YouTube pages Presented by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation Charged with rescuing an impounded animal ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A Prospect man admitted tampering with a Department of Agriculture animal trap in which his dog became ensnared while in his neighbour’s yard. Appearing before the Summary Court Tuesday, Kenrick Baron Solomon, 39, pleaded guilty with an explanation to a single count of rescuing an impounded animal. Solomon, a Customs and Border Control officer, told the court that on 28 Oct. last year, he had let his dog out of the house. “I went outside and tried to call my dog, but he wasn’t coming,” said Solomon. “I looked over at my neighbour’s yard and saw [my neighbour] on the phone. Then I heard my dog barking as if it was in pain. I looked and saw my dog in the cage and so I jumped the fence and freed my dog.” Prosecutor Kenneth Ferguson told Magistrate Valdis Foldats that the neighbour and Solomon lived across the road from each other. “The neighbour had complained to police and DoA officers about the defendant’s dog,” said Ferguson. “The defendant has dogs, [and] they live across from the complainant’s yard. The man says over the course of a few months, the dogs would come over to his yard and defecate in the yard. When the dog was captured, the complainant was on the phone with the DoA. Solomon came over and the complainant told him not to enter his property.” Ferguson said a day or two before the incident, the DoA had placed a humane trap on the neighbour's property. The trap was clearly marked with warning signs, he told the court. When asked by Foldats if he saw the warning signs on the cage, and if he heard the warning from the neighbour not to enter the property, Solomon said yes. “I’m not going to lie, I did see the signs, but I didn’t read them, and I did hear him but I still freed my dog,” said Solomon. He added, “I was doing what any dog-owner would do. But it doesn’t matter now, my dog [has since been] poisoned and is now dead.” The magistrate told Solomon, “The issue is that in freeing your dog, you broke the law. The signs clearly say that you should not interfere with the traps. You did not have permission to be on the complainant’s property, so in entering it, you did so as a trespasser.” Foldats added, “As a responsible pet-owner, you should have your dog leashed when it goes outside. Your dog might not have a history of attacking another animal or person, but they are animals and you never know what might happen or when it might happen.” Referring to an unrelated case, the magistrate spoke about “horrific pictures” of a dog attack that had left a 6-year-old girl with severe wounds. “The laws are there for a reason; it is to protect against these sorts of things,” said Foldats before handing down a $250 fine. Man fined for tampering with DoA trap to free his dog Cayman’s annual celebration of all things coconut – Coco Fest – earlier this month raised more than $2,600 for Meals on Wheels. Hundreds of people descended on Pedro St. James on Saturday, 8 Feb., for the fifth annual Coco Fest. Pedro St. James operations manager Deborah Bodden said in a press release, “We saw a high level of support for our national historical site and this year’s chosen charity Meals on Wheels.” The event raised $2,673, with $1 from each paid admission, $300 from drink sales of rum and coconut water, sales of raffle tickets and additional donations.” Meals on Wheels general manager Jennifer West said of the event, “On all levels, Coco Fest was a blessing to Meals on Wheels; we were indeed able to enroll delivery volunteers, as well as Coin Drive volunteers.” She added, “A heartfelt thanks to Pedro [St. James], Fidelity Bank and the Tourism Attraction Board for hosting such an amazing, cultural event and for supporting our cause at the same time.” Coco Fest raises 2.6K for Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels General Manager Jennifer West, centre, is presented with a cheque for funds raised at Coco Fest by, from left, Linval Johnson of Fidelity Bank, Pedro St. James Operations Manager Deborah Bodden, Cayman Spirits Company’s Jessica Soares and Grace Coconut Water representative Casey Goff, with the Cayman Spirits diver. 6Career guidance and educational opportunities for Cayman’s future workforce. Discover exciting career paths with the help of skilled professionals and industry leaders. THE CAYMAN ISLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAREERS EXPO 2020 THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS A COMMUNITY INITIATIVE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CAYMAN ISLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 949-8090 caymanchamber.ky Governors Square, West Bay Road FEATURING EXHIBITIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM: Butterfield Bank | Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa | Health City Cayman Islands | Compass Media | Cayman Finance | Maples | Health Services Authority | WORC | Mourant | Steppingstones | Cayman Maritime | University of Tampa | Deloitte | E&Y | CIIPA | Water Authority University College of the Cayman Islands | Carey Olsen | Appleby | International College of the Cayman Islands | The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman | Department of Public Safety and Communications (911) | Caribbean Utilities Company Ltd. | Marriott Grand Cayman Beach Resort Scotiabank | Insurance Managers of Cayman | DART | Department of Tourism | Nova | Phoenix Construction | Cayman Enterprise City 21 FEB 10AM - 3PM UCCI CAMPUS SIR VASSELL JOHNSON HALL Public Health urges vaccination RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Local health officials have stressed the need for residents to get vaccinated against the flu, as the newly opened flu clinic is seeing up to 200 cases per week. Public Health Surveillance Officer Timothy McLaughlin-Munroe told the Cayman Compass Tuesday that Cayman had a “very active” flu season in 2019 and it has continued in 2020. “Looking at the current trend, we are on par with last year which was very active, and ... as we are seeing 170-200 patients [a week], it was imperative to implement the flu clinic in General Practice once again,” McLaughlin-Munroe said in an emailed statement. He said Cayman ended 2019 with 6,474 cases of influenza-like illnesses – an average of 125 cases per week. “This is still, on average, higher than our usual threshold of 95-115 cases per week,” he noted. McLaughlin-Munroe hastened to add that the weekly cases of flu-like illnesses varied from week to week throughout the year. “The lowest number of cases reported to the Public Health Department per week in 2019 was 50 cases, [while] the highest was 224 cases,” he said. The temporary flu clinic was opened at the George Town General Practice Clinic at the beginning of February after Public Health reported a higher-than-usual number of patients presenting with flu- like symptoms. The clinic also serves to keep patients with flu-like symptoms away from the general patient population to minimise the risk of infection, and is part of Cayman’s response efforts to the global coronavirus outbreak. As of 18 Feb., the World Health Organization reported that more than 73,332 cases of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, had been confirmed, The death toll in mainland China stands at 1,870. A total of 25 countries have reported coronavirus cases. The Health Services Authority, in response to queries from the Compass about the temporary clinic, said there has been a positive response to the flu clinic, with patients continuing to utilise the service. The HSA said its flu vaccine outreach continues at supermarkets, and is available at workplaces on request. The vaccines are also available at all health centres. Director of Primary Health Care Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez urged members of the public to get their flu shots. “To decrease the spread of the flu, we continue to advise the public to get vaccinated and practise infection control measures, such as frequent hand cleansing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser; covering nose and mouth with tissue or a flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing; and avoiding close contact with people suffering from the flu or any acute respiratory infections,” he said. Up to 200 flu cases a week reported The HSA flu clinic operates from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, with a dedicated physician to manage and treat patients showing symptoms of the flu. Informational signage, face masks and hand sanitisers have been placed at the entrance of all health clinics for patients experiencing flu-like symptoms. • Flu symptoms • Fever* or feeling feverish/chills • Cough • Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Muscle or body aches • Headaches • Fatigue • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhoea, though this is more common in children than adults. *It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever. (Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) The clinic also serves to keep patients with flu-like symptoms away from the general patient population to minimise the risk of infection, and is part of Cayman’s response efforts to the global coronavirus outbreak . About the flu clinic cayman compass 7 news N news THURSDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2020Missing you on your 90th birthday You were kind and thoughtful with a warm and loving heart And when other people needed help, you always played your part. You’re thought of every single day whatever time of the year But somehow more than ever now your special day is here. No present can be given and that’s really very hard But there’s a world of love inside our hearts. Each memory is shinning bright and treasured dearly, too, But memories can’t take the place of someone dear, like you Winnie, Mummeh, Mama this year will be 20 years since you left us and today you would’ve been 90. What a big celebration we would have had as you always had a way of bringing everyone together. Not a day goes by that we don’t miss you but we are so thankful for the time we had with you and the lessons learned. Thank you for being the god-fearing, loving, generous mother, grandmother, sister and aunt that you were. We miss you and will always love you. From your 3 daughters Ann, Maria, Bergie 5 grandchildren, Andrew, Angela, Adolphus, Christina and Jordan, your sisters and brother, 7 great-grand and 2 great great grand. CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The Cayman Islands Cancer Society, MS Foundation of the Cayman Islands, and the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association of the Cayman Islands will be this year's recipients of funds raised by the annual Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge. Organisers announced this year's beneficiaries and sponsors at a press conference on Tuesday. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said he hopes this year’s run/walk will raise at least $70,000, which will be shared among the three chosen charities. Manderson, who leads the annual DG’s 5K Challenge, said, “Each year I think very carefully, I look to charities that are highly reputable and really make a difference in our islands.” The DG 5K will be held across all three islands – on Sunday, 5 April on Cayman Brac; on Sunday, 19 April on Little Cayman; and on Sunday, 26 April on Grand Cayman. “Fundraising from this year’s DG 5K Challenge will contribute to reducing instances of cancer and provide meaningful care and support for those who suffer serious and debilitating disease like MS, Alzheimer’s and dementia,” Manderson said. Charities welcome support The Cancer Society indicated that the funds raised will be used to support its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme, which includes public education, and prevention and screening of cancers caused by HPV, such as cervical, ear, nose, and throat cancers. Dr. Sook Yin, medical advocate for the Cancer Society, said that another aim of the HPV programme is to make sure all genders are getting vaccinated. “We partnered with DG 5K funds this year to support the vaccine programme, so we can not only vaccinate the girls but the boys as well,” Yin said. The MS Foundation said its portion of the funds will be used to support multiple sclerosis patients and their families. Lisa Tatosian, senior board member of the MS Foundation, said the charity, which was set up four years ago, strives "to provide emotional and financial support to the patients that are on the island. We do this not only by helping them go to the doctor but we help with care-giving and therapy for the entire family. It’s actually one of the costliest diseases you can be diagnosed with." The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association, which was founded in 2011 by Dorothy Davis, plans to use its portion of the funds to launch the Dementia Friends programme – an initiative to encourage Alzheimer’s and dementia patients to take part in activities to avoid sedentary lifestyles. “We are working very hard to get rid of the stigma. We are taking baby steps, but it’s happening because people are talking more about the disease,” Davis said. Appleby, the event’s platinum sponsor, has pledged a $15,000 donation. Last year, the challenge raised $82,000 for the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, the Alex Panton Foundation, and the Special Needs Foundation Cayman. “I encourage everyone living in the Cayman Islands to join us in April for as many of the three challenges as they can manage,” Manderson said. “Together, we really can help today and protect tomorrow.” The DG 5K Challenge has raised more than $300,000 for charities over the last seven years. DG 5K sponsors and charities announced From left, Nancy Barnard, chair of the DG 5K Fundraising Sub-committee; Norman Klein of sponsor Appleby; Lisa Tatosian of the MS Foundation of the Cayman Islands; Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and DG 5K co-chair; Jennifer Ahearn, DG 5K co-chair; Dorothy Davis, chair of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association of Cayman Islands; and Dr. Sook Yin of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society. cayman compass 8 N news THURSDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2020The Cayman Drama Society kicks off its 50th year with ‘The Illusion’, a play by American playwright Tony Kushner, which he freely adapted from the 17th century play, ‘L’Illusion Comique’, by Pierre Corneille. Director of the local production, Paul de Freitas, explained why he chose this particular play, as it is quite different from his prior productions for CDS: ‘The Woman In Black’, ‘Sistahs’ and ‘Proof’. “When I research plays to personally direct, I look for something new, not only for me but for CDS patrons,” de Freitas explained. “I look for successful plays which are not necessarily well-known. I also look for plays which have never premiered in the Caribbean – hence giving Cayman that honour. “I found ‘The Illusion’ by keying the words ‘magic + play’ into a search engine. I read the script and had an incredible moment. I saw a way to present the play in a manner never done before and without changing a single word of the script. All I had to do was to create an illusion, so that words and gestures passed on audible and visual cues which would lead our audience to come to one of two possible conclusions about who’s who when the show is over.” Stating that theatre relies on imagination, de Freitas made set decisions that were simple yet effective. “Our audiences will see a phantasm set in black – very dark green floor, black drapes, black borders overhead, more black drapes to form curves, platforms to raise the floor – and a mysterious entrance covered by cobwebs. It is a simple cave. The setting allows the audience to hang personal visions of a cave onto what they are seeing and being visually prompted by the action, including lights and sound. “For the first time in Prospect Playhouse history, the auditorium floor is a giant speaker capable of adding subtlety to the illusions,” de Freitas said. The story It is the 17th century. We join a father’s quest to find the son he drove away from his home when the son was just a young boy. He visits a magician in a cave near Remulac, a small town in the south of France. But, is all as it seems? The magician’s servant is an enigma – he exists on the outside and inside of the illusions by which the son’s life is displayed to the father. Who is the son hiding from with all of his changing names? Who is pulling the strings in that cave – the puppet or the puppeteer? “The play is itself an enigma, as it presents comedy, tender moments of youthful love, the passions of the lover spurned, friendship and enmity, and just a couple of moments of dark terror,” said de Freitas. “All the world’s a stage, and all the world can be found on this stage, thanks to the wonderful adaptation written by Kushner.” The director commented on the diversity of the cast and crew, a group that has been hard at work since rehearsals began to bring the show to the stage this week. “Everyone who auditioned was given a major role,” de Freitas said. “One had to decline due to another commitment, but our show is diversified by a cast from Cayman, Australia, Mexico, Ireland, the US and the UK, with a stage crew to match. And so, there is something for everyone – visually, audibly and in the various storylines within the illusions. What’s not to enjoy?” ‘The Illusion’ is performed under licence from Broadway Play Publishing and the Gersh Agency and plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm from 20 Feb. to 7 March. Latecomers cannot be admitted during the first 5 minutes. For tickets, buy online at www.cds.ky. ‘The Illusion’ opens at Prospect Playhouse Theatre Liam Oko and Melanie Ebanks perform a scene together. The full cast of 'The Illusion'. Stephen Wise (centre) plays the part of Pridamant, the father looking to reconcile with his son, while enlisting the help of Alcandre, the magician, played by Martin Campion (right) and The Amanuensis, the magician's secretary, played by Gerardo Ochoa-Vargas (left). Miriam El-Madany plays multiple parts throughout the show and Dante Bilchuris plays Pridamant's son, Calisto. cayman compass 9 L living THURSDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2020Next >