EASTERN AVENUE TM & © 2021 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. Hello Family. Meals. 8PC 12PC 16PC 1 Lg Side 4 Biscuits 2 Lg Side 6 Biscuits 3 Lg Side 8 Biscuits $350 2L pepsi or pepsi product cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 31 December 2021 - Thursday, 7 January 2022 Omicron cases double since Christmas Eve Page 3 Filipino community appeals for help after typhoon disaster Page 9 cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism Weekly, 10-16 December 2021 Quieter oceans lead to resurgence in fi sh population Page 13 Balancing act Tourism industry trains local workers, but calls for further staffi ng scale-up. Page 22 Photo: Taneos Ramsay local journalism 6 December 2021 cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 12-18 November 2021 5 NOVEMBER Active cases cross 2,500 14 AUGUST Cayman ‘very low’ risk, according to CDC Bubble bursts Spike in cases takes Cayman from safe haven to world’s COVID hotspot in two months. Page 3 8 NOVEMBER CDC rates Cayman ‘very high’ risk 1 NOVEMBER Active cases pass 1,000 27 OCTOBER CDC labels Cayman ‘high’ risk 9 SEPTEMBER Community outbreak begins 25 OCTOBER COVID outbreak on Sister Islands 28 $Crispy Chicken Sandwich Original Chicken SandwichMix n’ Match cayman compass r most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 Funding local journalism ly, 26 November - 2 December 2021 ISSUES Should quarantine exit tests be on the way out? Page 22 Testing the water Tourists dive back into Cayman’s seas, as tide could be set to turn on local COVID outbreak. Pages 3 & 5 Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism Weekly, 24-30 December 2021 A COVID Christmas More than 3,500 in quarantine over the holidays. Page 3Phot o: T aneos Ramsa y cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 6 - 12 August 2021 Surviving COVID: A doctor at death’s door Page 5 Friend’s final call: ‘Kerry-Ann never answered’ Page 8 CayMAS takes to de road Page 20 - Photo: Alvaro Serey Living in paradise? A spotlight on Cayman’s hidden housing crisis Page 14 cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 13-19 August 2021 Local author's book Code RedCode Red What the UN's climate change projections mean for Cayman. Page 6 Photo: James Whittaker cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 20-26 August 2021 UNGRACEFUL Assessing the damage, planning for the next storm - Page 5 CUC works through the night to restore power - Page 8 Compass photographers chronicle Tropical Storm Grace - Page 10 Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 10-16 September 2021 ISSUES 10 solutions for Cayman’s housing crisis Page 20 Schools address border reopening risks Page 8 Sister Islands' iguanas under threat Page 14 COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION Two vaccinated patients, with no travel history, test positive and show symptoms. Page 6 Refugee Olympic Team feels Caymankind Page 12 Photo: Taneos Ramsay 100% Butt er Croissan t made wit h Mix n’ Match % terrr with Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich® Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich® 25 $ for * © 2021 Burger King Corporation. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 15-21 October 2021 'Miracle' baby marks 1st birthday Page 10 The green side of smart tech Page 21 Meet the junior PanAm Games athletes Page 27 'Sometime in November' With the country urgently seeking answers, Premier Wayne Panton said he believes "with some confidence" the country may open next month if everything goes to plan. • Lateral flow test pilot Page 5 • How does the test work? Page 6 • Vaccine verification requirements waived for some Page 6 'M ma bib cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 29 Oct - 4 Nov 2021 Although hospitalisations remain low, Cayman's rising number of COVID cases represents one of many challenges for the tourism sector ahead of 20 Nov. reopening. Pages 14 & 15 Taking off cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 8-14 October 2021 The great debate The issue of mandatory vaccinations is dividing Cayman Public feedback Page 4 The Parliament debate Page 5 Who must get vaccinated? Page 6 Impact for civil service Page 8 Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism Weekly, 17-23 September 2021 mppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppasasaaassssssasaaasaaaasaassssassssaaaaaaaasaaaasaasasasassssassssaaaaaaasasaaaasasassasassaasasasaaasaasasasaasasasasaasassasasasasasaaasasasasasasaaaaasasasasasasssasassasaassasssssasssasassasssassassasasasssasasssasaassssassasasaaaaasassssssssaaaasssassssassssasasssssasaaassssssssassssssssaasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ccccccacacaaaaacaacaccccacacaaaaaccaaaccaacaccaccaaccaacccaacacccaaymyyymymymmmymyymyymymymymyymymymmymyyymymymmymymyymyymmymyymyyymy aaaaaaaaaaaaa YouYouurmosttrustrmosttruster most trustemost trusostostteeeeurrmosttrusteeuurteurr mteeutednewssoud news soud newnewewewssssodnewssourced news sounews srws so rrner FACING A NEW REALITY With COVID-19 running through the community and borders shut through the new year, Cayman is learning how to live with COVID. Phot o: Alv aro Ser ey cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 8-14 January 2021 Roll up your sleeves Government leaders were the fi rst to receive the Pfi zer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the Cayman Islands. Now they're encouraging Cayman to do the same as the country hopes to reopen borders in March. Page 5 Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 29 January - 4 February 2021 Right to a timely trial A backlog in the judicial system has left some behind bars for years without having their day in court. Page 13 HOW TO MAKE 2021 A YEAR OFW cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 12-18 February 2021 Election season begins Cayman's leaders have called an early election for the fi rst time in the islands' history. The Cayman Compass is your home for the best in election coverage. Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 No duelling or witchcraft? Cayman's outdated laws Page 5 Judge denies hiding documents Page 12 Recipes to tackle for your Super Bowl party Page 20 r s t ust The high cost of paradise cayman compass $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 5-11 February 2021 Living in the Cayman Islands is expensive. The Compass examines just how much more it costs to live here versus other countries. Page 16 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 16-22 April 2021 The changing face of politics cayman compass cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 9-15 April 2020 The race to be premier Page 3 Mask required to vote Page 6 Voter Voices Page 10 10 key issues Page 16 Voting Time Elections in the COVID era: A poll worker in full PPE prepares so quarantined voters can have their say. cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 5-11 March 2021 50 Final cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 26 March - 1 April 2021 AGAIN? New fi re re-ignites old concerns at the George Town landfi ll. Page 2 Photo: Taneos Ramsay Paths to reopening around the Caribbean Page 3 cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 28 May - 3 June 2021 Stormy skies • Cayman prepares for above-average hurricane season Page 5 • ‘Ghost’ British Airways fl ights trigger passenger outcry Page 6 Unplugging for a weekend Page 20 Teen hero talks school, life Page 14 cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 11-17 June 2021 Feature fi lm training for local crews Page 18 National football players hit out at CIFA president Page 22 Gone crabbing Land crab numbers plummet as development threatens natural habitat. Page 8 Photo: Taneos Ramsay Cayman’s newest COVID weapon explained Page 3 © 2021 Burger King Corporation. cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 9-15 July 2021 27 JANUARY 2022* * Panton announces five-phase border reopening plan, with some restrictions remaining in place until next year. Page 3 cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 4-10 June 2021 #is she supported? Our investigation reveals sexual harassment is rife and protections are lacking. Page 10 "The one that stands out the most is being a young child of about 12 and a much older man was licking his lips at me." "I have been asked to expose myself and have also been raped after I blacked out." "I have been harassed in the supermarket and stalked by someone I happened to be waiting in line with at the bank." "My boss took me out for lunch to “discuss my future with the fi rm” and asked me directly if I would have an affair with him." "Had to keep it quiet because my life felt threatened." "I have been harassed by clients, professional partners, potential donors, and others trying to 'score'. All of this was seen as 'coming with the territory' of being young and working in Cayman and dealing with men in positions of power." "I was fl ashed at Smith Cove while snorkelling." WARNING: READERS MAY FIND THE CONTENT IN THIS ARTICLE DISTURBING cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 16-22 July 2021 CITA questions plans to reopen border Page 6 Shark Week: DoE renews monitoring Page 12 How many more? 47 lives lost to gun crime in Cayman since 1999. Page 3 Mother of one victim pleads for violence to end. Page 5 Photo: Taneos Ramsay Unmasking Jackie Earle Haley Page 20 cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 Global collective eyes Cayman green scene Page 14 Flooding threat after wetlands development Page 6 Cayman's Olympians on world stage in Tokyo Page 23 $1 | Funding local journalism Weekly, 23-29 July 2021 CLOUDED FUTURE The changing face of teen drug use. Page 5 cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 21-27 May 2021 Cracking cold cases Exclusive Compass series profi les unsolved murders. Page 12 Photo: Alvaro Serey cayman compass Your most trusted news sourceEstablished 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 14-20 May 2021 News Lockdown's impact on crime Page 6 Issues Charting COVID: A deep dive into the data Page 12 Small World Photographers capture images of Cayman's tiniest and strangest sea creatures. Page 9A gold-fringed cerberilla nudibranch. - Photo: Alfe Bolos Year in Review 2021 2021 A look back at what was making news in 2021 From Page 11Church, restaurant burglarised over Christmas holidays A church was among two buildings burglarised in George Town over the Christmas holiday weekend, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has confirmed. In a statement issued on 29 Dec., police said officers responded to an alarm at the Walkers Road church shortly after 2:30am on 28 Dec. On entering the building, which had window screens removed and a window broken, officers observed that the office door had been pried open and the office ransacked. Police said it is unclear whether anything was stolen. It comes after police said offi cers responded to a burglary report at a restaurant on Walkers Road on Christmas Day. The establishment had been ransacked and several items were reported stolen, including electronic items and consumable goods. NiCE comes to a close Government’s three- week National Community Enhancement (NiCE) project came to a close just before Christmas, having seen some 600 Caymanians and spouses benefit from temporary work over December. The project, which is run by the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, ran from 6-23 Dec. and, unlike previous cohorts, this year’s selected participants were required to undergo rapid lateral flow COVID-19 tests throughout their involvement in the programme. “The participants have been working across districts to clear beach accesses, clean beaches and cemeteries, improve road markings, support solid waste management, and help the elderly in their yards,” a ministry statement announcing the programme’s end said. 4.1 magnitude earthquake recorded on Christmas Eve The United States Geological Survey reported that a 4.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 7:45pm on Christmas Eve, about 87 miles off Grand Cayman. The tremor was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) underwater. According to the USGS, which studies natural hazards, the quake was 87.4 miles south of Bodden Town and George Town, and 92.8 miles south of West Bay. No damage was reported, and no tsunami alert was issued. Man beaten during robbery in Prospect A 41-year-old man was beaten and robbed in an early morning attack in Prospect on 28 Dec. In a short statement, the RCIPS said officers responded to a report of an assault and robbery in the vicinity of Red Bay Primary School. The victim, of George Town, told police that, as he was walking home towards Prospect after purchasing some food, a white car pulled up next to him. He said he believes he was punched in the face and knocked unconscious, and woke to discover his phone and wallet were missing. Police said the emergency services attended to the man, who was then taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital for assessment and treatment. He then returned home. James family donates handcrafted bench at Starfish Point Rookmin James loved visiting her Cayman family every year, but when COVID-19 struck last year she could not make her annual trip here and, unfortunately, last August she passed away before she could return. Her daughter, Betty Larrabee, said it was hard for the Caymanian family when James, who lived in Trinidad, passed away at the age of 68. However, she said they wanted to celebrate her memory in a special way, while giving back to the community she loved. “My mom’s favorite spot was Starfish Point when she visited,” Larrabee told the Cayman Compass in a telephone interview, so it was the natural choice for the family to do something at the North Side attraction. To celebrate what would have been her birthday on 17 Dec., the family donated a handcrafted bench to the Parks and Recreation Unit for Starfish Point, something they knew James would have wanted. Matinees (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 lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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SEA STATE Slight to moderate with a wave height of 2 to 4 feet. caymancompass.comfacebook.com/caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass WINDS East at 10 to 15 knots. 87°F HIGH 76°F LOW 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 FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass news in brief The family of the late Rookmin James, with the wooden bench erected in her memory at Starfi sh Point. - Photo: Submitted cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2021Cayman, like much of the world, has seen the number of COVID-19 Omicron variant cases continue to climb, with local cases here more than doubling since Christmas Eve. Confirmed or suspected cases of the new strain stood at 242 as of 29 Dec.; however, only 44 of those cases had been confirmed through genomic sequencing. Meanwhile, Dr. Autilia Newton, the interim chief medical officer, has said the Cayman Islands is “taking into consideration” new guidelines by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on reduced isolation requirements for COVID-positive individuals, as well as guidance from other entities internationally. Her comment came as 198 “probable” Omicron cases – including 139 new ones between 24-29 Dec – were reported. New rules being considered On Monday, 27 Dec., the CDC announced that, in the United States, it was shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19, to five days, if asymptomatic or if symptoms resolve. If symptoms, such as fever, persist, the recommendation is to continue to isolate until the symptoms disappear. The quarantine period for those who have come into close contact with people with COVID-19 has also been updated by the CDC, which stated that if a patient has received a booster shot, or if they were fully vaccinated within the preceding six months, they do not need to isolate, but should wear a mask around others for 10 days and get tested after five days. Unvaccinated people or those who were vaccinated more than six months earlier, who have been exposed to COVID, should quarantine for five days, according to the US protocols. The CDC change in isolation protocols follows news out of a study at the Imperial College London that Omicron cases, compared to Delta, are 15% less likely to attend hospital, and 40% less likely to be hospitalised for a night or more. The early findings of the study suggest that the severity of Omicron-related illness is not as bad as initially anticipated. However, the new virus strain is considered more transmissible than Delta. In Cayman, quarantining rules remain unchanged for now, as local health protocols are guided by Public Health England. The current COVID rules in Cayman state that people who test positive for COVID must isolate for 10 days and then be tested again. However, if a PCR test has shown that a person has the Omicron variant, they are required to isolate for 14 days, although Public Health may release vaccinated individuals if they and their household test negative on day 11. Newton, following media queries on the CDC changes, said Public Health was relying on evidence and guidance from several international institutions, including the World Health Organization, the UK Health Security Agency, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the CDC, on best practices for COVID-19 management. “We are reviewing current testing and quarantine arrangements to ensure that these are the best possible fit to the rapidly evolving situation,” she said. “We are aiming to strike the right balance between safeguarding the life of people and ensuring that the country is still functioning as effectively as possible. With this in mind, the CDC’s new guidance on isolation times will be taken into consideration alongside other sources to find the best proposal for the Cayman Islands.” Active cases rise to 3,930 The number of active cases of COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands as 29 Dec., stood at 3,930. However, hospitalisations remained low, with four in hospital as of that date. The total number of people in isolation has not been released, but Public Health has confirmed that 3,825 individuals, as of 29 Dec., were isolating as a result of community transmission. The 139 new “probable” Omicron cases were among 361 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Public Health’s 29 Dec. update. Of those, 78 involved travellers and 283 were from the community. These were detected among 1,504 PCR tests conducted since 24 Dec., meaning that a quarter of all PCR tests carried between 24-28 Dec. then returned positive results. Five new cases were detected in the Sister Islands over the holiday period, bringing the total active cases there to 10, as of 29 Dec. To date, there have been 130 cases reported on the Sister Islands. The Health Services Authority vaccination clinic re-opened on 29 Dec., after a five-day break over the holiday period. As of 24 Dec., the last day before the holiday period when the clinic was open, 58,749 people (83% of the estimated population of 71,106) had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 57,094 (80%) had completed the two-dose course. Also, 16,667 people – representing 23% of the population – had received a booster dose. Journalists Reshma Ragoonath and Norma Connolly contributed to this article. Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton Omicron cases double since Christmas Eve Isolation changes considered as severity of illness from new variant remains low 242 Confirmed or probable cases of the Omicron variant reported in Cayman as of 29 Dec. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Holland America cruise ship, whose planned 28 Dec. stop in Grand Cayman was cancelled by government, is among 88 cruise ships under investigation by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for onboard COVID-19 cases. Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam ship has been added to the CDC’s list of cruise ships under investigation due to reports of positive cases among crew or passengers. Using the agency’s five-tier colour-coded system for monitoring COVID, the vessel is ‘yellow’ – the scale’s middle category, meaning the number of reported cases of COVID-19 on board have met the threshold for CDC investigation. According to the CDC guidance, this means at least one crew member has tested positive, and/ or 0.10% or more of passengers. So, for example, if a ship has 6,500 passengers on board, the CDC’s investigation threshold is met if seven or more passengers have tested positive during the previous seven days, or if this percentage includes passenger cases occurring within five days of disembarkation. It is unclear which of the criteria the Holland America cruise ship was flagged for, but according to the CDC list, the ship remains under observation and an investigation has been started. Nieuw Statendam, with 1,600 passengers on board, was initially approved by government back in November to call on Grand Cayman on 28 Dec., as part of the cruise’s Western Caribbean itinerary, but that decision was reversed a week before the ship was due to arrive. Had the ship been allowed to call on Cayman, it would have been the first cruise ship to visit local ports since borders were closed in March 2020. Government explained, through a statement, that the decision to pull the plug on the call was “in line with the recently implemented policy requiring all travellers to be tested the day prior to their departure to the Cayman Islands”. It stated that this requirement could not be accommodated. The ship’s visit had been intended as a trial run, to prepare the island for the eventual return of cruise tourism. Acting Minister for Tourism Dwayne Seymour stated that the decision had not been “taken lightly” and that the inconvenience was regretted. COVID cases reported on cancelled cruise ship The number of cruise ships being investigated by the CDC following reports of COVID on board 88 cayman compass 3 news N news FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 20211234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Arrears of work (7) 5 A characteristic (5) 8 Strictly according to rules (2,3,4) 9 Intend (3) 10 To raise (4) 12 Corresponding (8) 14 Brief fall of rain (6) 15 Flag (6) 17 Tedious routine (8) 18 Be inclined (4) 21 Dejected (3) 22 Cause great confusion (4,5) 24 Area for shooting practice (5) 25 Earthenware (7) DOWN 1 Confusion of voices (5) 2 Share of profits (3) 3 Vegetable of onion genus (4) 4 Worldwide (6) 5 Subtract (4,4) 6 Immediately on looking (2,1,6) 7 Drinking glass (7) 11 Henceforward (4,3,2) 13 Sixfold (8) 14 Like (7) 16 Pitch tents (6) 19 Belittle (5) 20 An attempt (4) 23 Compete (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16889 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. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 16889 ACROSS: 1 Backlog, 5 Trait, 8 By the book, 9 Aim, 10 Lift, 12 Parallel, 14 Shower, 15 Banner, 17 Monotony, 18 Tend, 21 Low, 22 Play havoc, 24 Range, 25 Pottery. DOWN: 1 Babel, 2 Cut, 3 Leek, 4 Global, 5 Take away, 6 At a glance, 7 Tumbler, 11 From now on, 13 Sextuple, 14 Similar, 16 Encamp, 19 Decry, 20 Shot, 23 Vie. Missing over Cuba: The decades old mystery of the plane that vanished This was a very interesting article. Thank you for covering this! – Brianna Morales-Smith I remember hearing about this as a little girl. I was blessed to go to Middle School and High school with Carlton’s daughter Tina. She is a beautiful person, with a great sense of humour, and always brought laughter to us. I pray that their family will get the comfort and closure they’ve always longed for, in Jesus’s name. – Rhonda Welds-Russ Also in 1988 or ‘89, a boat loaded with building supplies and other stuff, with over 10 persons [on] board left Cayman for Honduras and just vanished. My late husband’s supervisor, then head for his section at the Public Works Department, was the owner of the vessel and was on board with one of his sons also. Anyone remembers that? – Carol Ann Walker-Shaw 28 December cruise cancelled Why would they have approved a cruise ship visit in the first place? Seems totally inconsistent with all the testing they put air travellers through. – Jeff Boucher These guys couldn’t make a decision and stick to it for anything. – Dianne Parsons Hawcrofte Wow… not sure why they even entertained it in the first place!!! – Valerie Jeanine Good! Keep them away! – Laurie Lang Deters Cruise ships are petri dishes. They should not be allowed back in while the pandemic is ongoing. Look at the history of how pandemics spread. – Anna Peccarino So... coronavirus only hangs out in bar and restaurants after midnight and on cruises ships? Coronavirus is rampant in your community because you kept the borders closed for two years and now you’re behind the curve. You let 1,600 people a week [in] on jets that get tested and retested... but you think 1,600 on a boat undergoing the same test regimen are radioactive. Just shows the cluelessness and lack of knowledge that’s running things. – Jan Morgan Very very good. Think about the wellbeing of your people. Don’t think about money. – Delores Ebanks Omicron cases double since Christmas Eve Glad to hear hospitalisations remain low since that was always the goal! – Jackie Myles On average, 48/day… seems the trend is downward. That’s good, considering it’s the holidays. – Josee L. Anderson Omicron is basically a bad cold. I don’t know about Cayman, but the US does not test every test to see what variant it is. We just pull random tests and guess percentages. Covid is the new flu and it’s not going anywhere with or without vaccines. – Anita Magoon Suker Who cares if it is Omicron or not? We should be happy it is more Omicron and less Delta. – Andrew Bush Can y’all stop ruining my life and just let me come home and visit my family already? – Kyle Ritch People need to learn to live with the virus. COVID ain’t going nowhere. We need our freedom back. – Manuel Gómez pic of the day Diving into Christmas Divers take to the water off West Bay for a 'Santa hat dive' on Christmas Day. - Photo: Liz Wyatt We love coming to the Caymans! We own property there and we haven’t been able to use it because we have a new granddaughter that we want to include and is not allowed in the country! What’s that about? A little baby has God-given natural immunity, and is not a threat to spreading Covid! Might need to get several doctors' opinions. – Laura Nagle My wife and I have been coming to Grand Cayman annually for more than 20 years. We love the island and its people. We have been fully vaccinated to include the booster shot. We made our travel arrangements several months ago when a negative PCR test was necessary for entry. However, the recent introduction of lateral flow tests on days 2, 5, and 10 for tourists is a bridge too far! The risk of contracting COVID or the new Omicron variant upon arrival and being quarantined could add up to a ruined and expensive vacation. This is too much to expect from tourists. Consequently, we have sadly cancelled our trip. – Rick Greenwood What they’re saying Letters to the Editor Online cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2021Mass_NRG_WhiteLine_Inset_OuterMask_CMYKcayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2021Police report increase in hit-and-runs RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky A third of the 31 road traffic colli- sions reported over the Christmas holidays were hit-and-runs, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice has confirmed. The incidents were reported to 911 between 24 Dec. and 28 Dec., 2021. While there were no major collisions or life- threatening injuries, police said – in a statement on 29 Dec. – that they had seen an increase in the number of hit-and-runs. Following Cayman Compass queries, police stated that in 10 of the 31 crashes reported, the drivers had left the scene of the accidents. Superintendent Brad Ebanks, who heads up Operation Quaker, the road policing component of the RCIPS holiday safety campaign, welcomed the fact that there were no major crashes over the holidays. “Our road policing units were pleased to witness relatively quiet roads over this Christmas weekend when compared to previous years. We want to thank the public for practicing safe driving behaviors and helping us to keep serious road incidents to a minimum,” Ebanks said in the statement. Operation Quaker, the RCIPS said, focussed on increased police presence on the roads over the long Christmas weekend, which included additional support from special constables, officers from other units within the police, and 17 new police recruits. Over the holiday period, police issued 106 traffic tickets, including 13 for speeding, 53 for expired registration, 22 for tint and one for mobile phone usage. There were also four DUI arrests. In addition, police said, arrests were made in relation to two warrants. Ebanks reminded that another holiday long weekend is on the horizon, as he urged motorists to continue to exercise caution on Cayman’s roads. “As we approach New Year’s weekend, we expect the roads to be busy and motorists can expect to see us out in numbers across the island keeping the roads safe for all users. Be patient on the roads, slow down and don’t drink and drive – it’s not worth it,” he said. Ebanks pointed out there are a number of ways local residents and visitors can ensure their safety and the safety of other road users during the festive season. “Remember," he said, "there are options to get home; call a cab, take advantage of the #ArriveAlive345 Purple Ribbon buses, designate a sober driver or arrange for a family member to collect you. As a community, let’s continue to work together to keep everyone safe on the roads this New Year’s weekend." To help ensure people get home safely after New Year's Eve revelry, Compass Media’s ArriveAlive345 Purple Ribbon buses will offer free rides to passengers across all districts in Grand Cayman and in Cayman Brac. The buses will operate between 9pm on Friday, 31 Dec., and 4am Saturday, 1 Jan. Easily identified by their purple flashing lights and reflective strips, the buses will stop at major hotels, restaurants and bus stops along the routes. Police were out in their numbers over the holiday weekend. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay 31 collisions mar holiday weekend 106 Traffic tickets issued over long Christmas weekend DUI arrests “Be patient on the roads, slow down and don’t drink and drive – it’s not worth it.” Superintendent Brad Ebanks 4 cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2021NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky Snowmen may be common sights over the festive season in colder climes than Cayman’s, but visitors to Seven Mile Beach on Christmas Day were treated to a rare appearance by a Caribbean snowman. Friends Jenessa Danielson and Tom Dwyer built the snowman from ice, to bring a little wintry and cheery atmosphere to the sun-soaked beach. This was the second year they’ve made a beach snowman – last year, they made a similar, though smaller, one on West Bay’s Cemetery Beach. “The snowman was a hit,” Dwyer said. “People were queuing up to take photos with it.” But there were a few trials and tribulations along the way, he admitted. When he went to check the freezer at work where he was freezing the large ice balls that were used for the foundation of the head and body, he found the freezer door had been left slightly ajar. “They were kind of melting,” he said, “but were frozen enough for me to make it.” Then, he got a call from Danielson who was making the ice shavings – the ‘snow’. She broke the bad news that the ice shaver wasn’t working. But, they got it working again after half an hour, and “it all came together in the end,” Dwyer said. Danielson suggested the snowman-making enterprise last year, after COVID-19 interrupted plans for pumpkin carving at Halloween. Dwyer recalled, “My friend said, ‘Let’s build a snowman instead.’ I said, ‘Sure’, but I thought she was joking.” She wasn’t. Before long, plans were afoot for making a snowman that would withstand, for a while at least, a December day in sunny Cayman when temperatures in the afternoon are in the mid-80s. It involved freezing large balls of ice, stacking them on top of each other, and covering them with ice shavings – and adding a carrot nose, scarf and hat, of course. Their snowman this year was about three feet tall. The year before, it was smaller, but lasted longer because the slightly ajar freezer door this year meant the ice ball for the snowman’s head was not solid. “The head wasn’t frozen though. It was only frozen about an inch. When I was drilling the holes… the water came out,” Dwyer said. “He melted after about 45 minutes this year,” he added. Last year’s snowman survived about three hours. But not only was Governor’s Beach the site of a Caribbean snowman, it was also the battleground in what was, almost certainly, Cayman’s only snowball fight on Christmas Day. “My friend made plenty of ice shavings which allowed for snowball fights with the kids,” Dwyer said. The after shot: What a snowman looks like after spending some time on the beach. The 3-foot-tall snowman at Governor's Beach on Christmas Day, with a hat and scarf in case temperatures dropped. Jenessa Danielson and Tom Dwyer with their snowman. Snow joke: Chilly Christmas surprise on Seven Mile Beach cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2021 Sending New Year’s wishes to you and your family. Happy New Year from all of us at Sagicor. Our oce will be closed on the following dates New Year’s Eve (December 31st) New Year’s Day (January 1st) - 1:00p.m. - Closed sagicorcayman.com JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The show must go on. Cayman Islands residents will be able to see in the new year with a bang after government confirmed restrictions on serving alcohol after midnight will be lifted. The measures – in place for the past two weeks – will be removed in time for the biggest party night of the year, with bars cleared to open until 2am and clubs until 4am. The confirmation brought relief to event organisers who have been promoting New Year’s Eve parties in the hope that the unpopular regulations would not be extended past 30 Dec. But frustration remains that the announcement was not made until Thursday afternoon, 30 Dec., leaving little time for people to make plans. Restrictions on numbers at gatherings are still in place, with outdoor events capped at 250 people and indoor locations at 100. The midnight closure was announced by Premier Wayne Panton on 16 Dec. after Cayman’s first COVID-19 Omicron cases were confirmed. At the time, he said the measure would be in place until 30 Dec., pending further consideration. Though there has been a continued surge in cases of the highly contagious variant, hospitalisations remain extremely low, with just four people with the virus in hospital as of 29 Dec. The Liquor Licensing Board confirmed Thursday that opening hours could return to normal for 31 Dec., and on Friday nights going forward. Mix of relief and frustration Kenny Rankin, who runs several venues and entertainment businesses across Cayman, said the midnight-closure rule had never made sense. He said it was a relief that it had been lifted in time for New Year’s Eve. “We continued to promote our events because we can’t just leave it till the last day. We keep going until we can’t go any more,” he said. “If we had to refund the tickets, we would have had to take the loss, but we are good. We have a loyal following and we are expecting a great new year at all our locations.” The ‘Glitter Beach’ event at Coral Beach and the ‘After Party’ events at the Lodge and Seven Mile Lounge are among the big events at his venues Friday night and into Saturday morning. He said he would like government to move faster on lifting more of the COVID regulations, but could accept the rules so long as they were applied equally. At Grand Old House and the Wharf, there was some relief that two major parties would be allowed to run past midnight on New Year’s Eve. But there was frustration too that uncertainty over the regulations had restricted ticket sales in what has already been a slow Christmas season. Luciano De Riso, operations manager at both venues, said he had been told the restrictions would be lifted, but customers understandably wanted to wait for an official announcement. “I can’t sell tickets on the basis of something I heard,” he said. “People want to wait for the announcement.” He said a lot of people had already made other plans by the time the news was confirmed. “The rule didn’t really stop people from mixing, if that was what was intended,” he said. “They just plan their own parties at home.” He said the Grand Old House dinner event, DJ and fireworks, and the Wharf’s New Year’s Boogie Nights were outdoor events in large spaces and he expects few issues. Other New Year’s Eve events and fireworks displays are planned at most of the major hotels and at Camana Bay. The ‘Thatch and Barrel’ event at Pedro St. James is also expected to attract a crowd. A nine-course feast, DJ and dancing is planned at Kaibo. The Liquor Licensing Board confirmed the restrictions had been lifted in a statement issued around 3.30pm Thursday. Licensees can contact the Department of Commerce and Investment on 244-2202, 244-6677 or email at enforcement@dci.gov.ky or info@dci.gov.ky for more information. 'Cinderella' rule lifted for New Year's Eve Starting on 31 Dec., bars can remain open until 2am and clubs until 4am, in time for New Year's Eve celebrations. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2021Relief effort begins to support families JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky As Typhoon Rai battered the Philippines, Sarah Forrosuelo watched in horror from the other side of the world. Television footage showed the super storm sweep across her home town of Cebu City, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. In the immediate aftermath of the category 5 typhoon, she received a single WhatsApp message from her younger sister, Gina, showing the wreckage of her home. And then nothing. Days passed without contact. Between shifts at Foster’s supermarket in Grand Cayman, she frantically texted friends back home. She contacted media in Cebu and posted messages in Facebook groups. “Has anyone seen or heard from my sister?” She managed to reach the mayor of the city, but her efforts brought no new information. Meanwhile, news reports out of the Philippines painted a frightening picture. The official death toll was approaching 400, with hundreds of thousands more injured or displaced, and more than 4.5 million people impacted across 10 regions. People were living in makeshift shelters built from the wreckage. Aid workers were struggling to reach parts of the country and concern was growing about an absence of food and clean water in the worst hit areas. “It is hard for me. I am crying all the time and it is hard to work,” Forrosuelo said. Tearful Christmas Marilou Cangmaong, a nanny in Grand Cayman, had a similar feeling as she watched the scenes unfolding in her home town of Surigao City – where the storm, known locally as Odette, made landfall on 15 Dec., flattening entire villages and leaving thousands homeless. “Everyone here in Cayman has been excited for Christmas, but it is heartbreaking for us,” she said, of the Filipino community. It took her three days to get news from her family. Her family home, where her brother and 18-year-old son still live, was destroyed in the storm. They were able to find shelter with her sister in another province. But several of her relatives were killed in the typhoon. Others saw their crops or boats, which they rely on for income, damaged. “It is hard for us to be so far away and unable to help,” she said. “There is nothing to do about it. We are crying and crying.” Happy news For Forrosuelo, the anxious wait for news went on through Christmas. It wasn’t until Boxing Day that her sister was able to make contact to tell her she was safe – living in a tented shelter in Cebu. A tree had crashed down on her house, forcing her and her husband to flee. Power, water and WiFi were out across the city, and she had been unable to make contact until two weeks after the storm. “I felt so good to hear from her,” said Forrosuelo, “The news was so scary, but I knew she was safe.” Fundraising effort Now that the stress of searching for loved ones has passed, the attention of Cayman’s Filipino community has turned to what it can do to help. The Cayman Bayanihan society is collecting donations to support the families, neighbours and communities of Filipino people living in Cayman, most severely impacted by the storm. The society – named for a Filipino expression which roughly translates to Caymankind – was set up in response to COVID to add structure, organisation and official non-profit status to the loose support network that already existed among the more than 4,000 workers from the Philippines on the islands. Michelle Asadon and Rachel Gepolla, who run a YouTube news update show called ‘Sugar and Spice’ aimed at Filipino workers, held an online video telethon before Christmas to raise funds. “We are asking if people can give monetary donations right now,” said Asadon. “We have contacted agencies in the Philippines that will be able to buy supplies and distribute them.” She said there were a lot of people in Cayman whose families had been impacted. “The Cayman community has been very generous in the past," she added. "Whatever donations we can get, we will ensure go to the people that need the help.” Community Announcements Sarah Forresuelo eventually made contact with her sister Gina, pictured, several days after the typhoon destroyed her home. Rai claimed up to 400 lives across several provinces. Thousands of homes were destroyed in the storm, which struck the Philippines with wind gusts of up to 168 miles per hour. Super Typhoon Rai wreaked havoc when it slammed into the Philippines on 16 Dec. Typhoon Rai’s devastation impacts Cayman’s Filipino Community To donate to the relief operation, use: Butterfield Bank Acc Name: Cayman Bayanihan Filipino Community Account Number KYD: 1361776440019 USD: 8401776440020 For more information, contact Dion on 917-6482, Ferdie on 325-1282 or Kokai on 922-6947. For more information about the Cayman Bayanihan Society, see caymanbayanihan.com. Want to help? cayman compass 9 news N news FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2021Next >