Cayman Compass - 11 March, 2022

cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 11-17 March 2022 Light Up The Night in pictures Page 8 The cost of Cayman’s ageing population Page 18 compass The multi-billion- dollar question Could preserving the environment be more lucrative than development? Page 22 Phot o: T aneos Ramsa y Could preserving the environment be more lucrative than development? US Masters hope for Cayman’s Aaron Jarvis Page 3 © 2022 Burger King Corporation. Try the Impossible Whopper or Big Fish. F O R L IM IT ED TI M E O N LY Try the Impossible Whopper or Big Fish. No meat. No problem.Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (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. BLACKLIGHT (PG-13) (FRI-THURS) 6:40PM DOG (PG-13) (FRI, SUN -TUES) 3:45 | 10:15 (SAT) 1:20 | 3:45 | 10:15 (WED-THURS) 10:15 THE BATMAN (PG-13) (FRI, SUN-MON & WED -THURS) 3:30 VIP | 4:00 | 4:25 VIP | 6:30 | 7:30 VIP | 8:10 VIP | 9:15 (SAT) 12:00 VIP | 12:15 | 12:30 VIP | 1:30 VIP | 4:00 | 4:25 VIP | 6:30 | 8:10 VIP | 9:15 (TUES) 4:00 | 4:25 VIP | 6:30 | 8:10 VIP | 9:15 THE DESPERATE HOUR (PG-13) (FRI, SUN-MON & WED-THURS) 4:45 | 7:00 VIP | 7:40 | 9:50 (SAT) 12:20 | 2:30 | 4:45 | 7:00 VIP | 7:40 | 9:50 | 10:00 VIP (TUES) 4:40 VIP | 4:45 | 7:00 VIP | 7:40 | 9:50 | 10:10 VIP UNCHARTED (PG-13) (FRI, SUN-MON & WED-THURS) 3:55 | 4:00 VIP | 7:00 | 9:15 VIP | 9:45 (SAT) 1:00 | 3:55 | 4:00 VIP | 7:00 | 9:15 VIP | 9:45 (TUES) 3:55 | 4:00 VIP | 7:00 | 9:15 VIP | 9:45 CAYMAN DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL TINA (R) (WED ONLY) 6:30 I AM GRETA (PG-13) (THURS 0NLY) 6:30 For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted KIDS CLUB THE LITTLE MERMAID SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) (1989) CLASSICS THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG TUESDAY 7PM VIP (PG-13) KIDS CLUB SING SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (G) WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of evening showers. SEA STATE Slight with a wave height of 1 to 3 feet. WINDS Southeast at 10 to 15 knots. 87°F HIGH 76°F LOW Donations, tributes pour in for local realtor Furius Whelan A GoFundMe page set up to provide for the daughter of local realtor Furius Whelan has already raised more than £30,000. It comes after the sudden passing of the real estate agent and well-known hair stylist, whose death was described as a loss not just for the family and friends who adored him, but also the community as a whole. Whelan, originally from Canada, passed away earlier this month in Las Vegas while attending a RE/MAX convention where he had won an award. Kim Lund, local RE/MAX broker/owner, expressed sadness at Whelan’s passing. “He had a very outgoing personality, [a] friendly, genuinely good person. Everyone loved him because he was just a really nice person and worked very hard… [He] was just somebody that you felt like you knew for years when you ﬁ rst met him because he was just very, very straightforward and very easy to get to know,” Lund told the Cayman Compass in a telephone interview. Whelan’s death, he said, was “very tragic” and happened suddenly. At press time, the GoFundMe page had raised £30,790 (US$40,443) of its new £40,000 target, having passed its original £25,000 goal. Gov’t eyes April as end date for tourism stipend Deputy Premier Chris Saunders has said government is moving to end the tourism stipend by April and transition displaced workers, who are not fully employed, to a grant programme at a smaller sum in some cases. Speaking to the Compass at a hospitality industry job fair on 5 March, Saunders said getting tourism workers back on the job was key to relieving government of the stipend payments. Government cannot continue the stipend long term, the ﬁ nance minister said, as the payments total $5 million monthly. “That in the present is unsustainable and I think no one can [disagree] with that… spending over $60 million a year on the stipend,” he said, especially as government has already spent tens of millions of dollars to promote the Cayman Islands to attract businesses to local shores. “That is being done on behalf of Caymanians and Caymanian businesses,” he said, which is why he stressed the need for displaced workers to get every job opportunity available. Privy Council set to rule on same-sex marriage On Monday, 14 March, the UK’s Privy Council will be handing down its judgment on whether same-sex marriages are compatible with Cayman’s Constitution. At the heart of the legal battle, which has been brought by same-sex couple Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden Bush, are two questions. Firstly, does the Bill of Rights in the Cayman Islands Constitution provide the right for Day and Bodden Bush to marry? If so, the second question asks whether the order of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, which modiﬁ ed the Marriage Law to deﬁ ne marriage as “the union between two people as one another’s spouses”, should be restored. DoE to launch new green iguana culling programme Department of Environment ofﬁ cials say they are looking to implement a scaled-down and cost-effective version of its green iguana culling programme which has cost more than $7.9 million for the removal of 1.3 million of the invasive species in the past four years. In a recently-posted procurement notice, the DoE said it was looking to shift from its current bounty-style system, where licensed cullers are paid per iguana, to “sub-contracted expert hunting teams” which would be paid for their collective hunting hours per week. “Hunting teams will be deployed primarily on Grand Cayman but will also operate on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman,” according to the procurement notice. “Each team will consist of licensed air riﬂ e operators with existing track records of safety and effectiveness in the green iguana cull, spotters/noose operators [and] iguana retrievers working alongside.” Green impacts of East-West Arterial extension reviewed The long-awaited East-West Arterial extension is moving to the next phase as the National Roads Authority invited bids from ﬁ rms to conduct an environmental impact assessment for the project. The NRA, according to a request for proposals posted on the government procurement Bonﬁ re portal, is seeking a qualiﬁ ed environmental ﬁ rm to perform all requisite technical studies and analyses to complete an EIA for the extension, from Woodland Drive to Frank Sound Road. The bidding exercise will be open until 5pm on 14 April 2022. Governor and premier ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ Governor Martyn Roper and Premier Wayne Panton joined the Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency to plant two trees at the Government Administration Building. The tree planting, held on 4 March, was in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as part of the local ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ initiative. The team planted a silver thatch donated by Gary Chisholm and a mahogany facilitated by Caribbean Blooms. Premier Wayne Panton and Governor Martyn Roper by their newly planted silver thatch. - Photo: Supplied news in brief FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass 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 NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES BUSINESS EDITOR MICHAEL KLEIN ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER LIVING EDITOR VICKI WHEATON HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCHGILLIES cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2022JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Teen golf sensation Aaron Jarvis got his hands on the coveted US Masters winner’s green jacket on 8 March – only this one was made of icing and sugar. The 19-year-old will make history as the first Caymanian to compete for the real thing when he travels to Augusta, Georgia, for the biggest event in golf next month. Friends, family and well-wishers gathered at George Town Yacht Club this week to wish him farewell and good luck. He was presented with a custom-made shirt, featuring the Cayman flag, and a three-tier cake from the Ministry of Tourism. A large crowd toasted his success and he signed specially designed postcards for dignitaries including Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan and Governor Martyn Roper, as well as for his grandad and a growing number of fans and friends. Jarvis, who qualified for the biggest stage in the sport with his victory at the Latin American Amateur Championship in the Dominican Republic in January, hopes to have his cake and eat it, too, when he lines up against the world’s best golfers mid-April. He said he was nervous, but not intimidated, at the prospect of facing the likes of Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson. “I’m just gonna enjoy it, but I also want to play well,” he told the media at the event. “I think it’s an opportunity for me to make a name for myself and put myself into the big world with the professionals and show people that coming from a small place, you can still make it.” Jarvis will compete in the Cayman Islands Golf Association’s national championships at the North Sound Golf Club over the weekend, before heading to Florida to work with his coach ahead of the Masters. He is allowed five practice days at the famous Augusta course before the tournament. The first two of those, which took place earlier this year, were about acclimatising to the atmosphere of a place he has previously only experienced on television. He has three more sessions to hone his tactics and strategy before the big event. Magical atmosphere “The whole place is pretty magical,” he said, “Just driving down Magnolia Lane and seeing the place for the first time was pretty cool. But going there for multiple times before the tournament will allow me to get comfortable with the course.” In a message to youngsters coming up in the game – or in any sport – he said the key element was to have fun and believe you can improve. His victory and ascent to the Masters field was considered all the more unlikely because of Cayman’s limited facilities. But Jarvis, his brother Andrew, fellow college golfer Justin Hastings and national team captain Payten Wight have all excelled despite those challenges. “Having one golf course here was enough for us to get better every day,” he said. “The older guys took us in… even though there’s one course we enjoyed going out there until sunset, after school till dark and we wouldn’t get home ‘til like eight, nine o’clock sometimes, but it was so good. Having one golf course was enough for us to get better every day and we just enjoyed it and had fun growing up.” Jarvis has a packed summer that will also take him to the equally prestigious Open Championship in Scotland, to the US Open qualifiers and several other high-profile events. His mum and dad, Lana and Robin Jarvis, said they were proud to see what he had achieved and would be rooting for him in Augusta, along with a large contingent of family and friends from Cayman. “It’s an exciting year for all of us and I know you have all been part of the journey along the way,” said Robin, as he paid tribute to all the coaches, friends, family and supporters who have helped Aaron on his journey, “Thank you everybody for this and this is our journey together so enjoy it.” Historic moment Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said Jarvis would be representing Cayman on the big stage and putting the island on the map. “This is a moment in time that will forever be part of our history,” he said at the 8 March event. “We are fortunate to have him as a representative for our country.” Jarvis hopes to make the cut at the Masters and finish as the top amateur, a result that would help propel him towards the big time. He is currently playing golf for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and hopes his college career and this summer’s schedule of major tournaments could be a pathway to a pro career. Sweet dreams: Aaron Jarvis gets his hands on a green jacket cake topper at a farewell event in his honour at George Town Yacht Club. Golf star Jarvis dares to dream of Masters glory History-making teen ready for ultimate challenge The 19-year-old will make history as the first Caymanian to compete for the real thing when he travels to Augusta, Georgia, for the biggest event in golf next month. 7-10 April Follow Jarvis's progress in Augusta with comprehensive coverage from the Compass. cayman compass 3 news N news FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 20221234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Zealot (7) 5 Shinbone (5) 8 Time of youthful immaturity (5,4) 9 Donkey (3) 10 Hindu system of meditation (4) 12 Illegal (8) 14 Optimistic (6) 15 Bodily shape (6) 17 Persuade to believe (8) 18 Cease (4) 21 Large tea-making vessel (3) 22 Controversial issue (3,6) 24 Done in a hurry (5) 25 Wholesome (7) DOWN 1 Questionable (5) 2 Nothing (3) 3 Widespread tendency (4) 4 Obscure corner (6) 5 Australian state (8) 6 Produce results (4,5) 7 Exculpate (7) 11 Become wild with anger (2,7) 13 Unsparingly (8) 14 Graceless (7) 16 Put an end to (6) 19 Authority to act for another (5) 20 Spanish painter (4) 23 Knack (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16949 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 16949 ACROSS: 1 Fanatic, 5 Tibia, 8 Salad days, 9 Ass, 10 Yoga, 12 Unlawful, 14 Upbeat, 15 Figure, 17 Convince, 18 Stop, 21 Urn, 22 Hot potato, 24 Hasty, 25 Healthy. DOWN: 1 Fishy, 2 Nil, 3 Tide, 4 Cranny, 5 Tasmania, 6 Bear fruit, 7 Absolve, 11 Go bananas, 13 Lavishly, 14 Uncouth, 16 Scotch, 19 Proxy, 20 Goya, 23 Art. Saunders: Minimum wage ‘absolutely way too low’ Definitely! The cost of living is much too high, the cost of housing and food; $6 an hour is a disgrace. How is a person on that salary sup- posed to feed their kids, and pay rent and bills? – Catriona Walters The minimum wage should at least be $10 per hour, and the cost of living lower, especially the prices in the supermarkets and gas stations. – Keeth Ebanks Just build the road, we know it is going to impact something. Let’s just get it over and done. – Neil Bodden And while we’re at it, implement a cost-of-living increase to all salaries. – Hayley Powell-Chisholm Finally some good sense! Doesn’t even buy a pack of cherry tomatoes. Do they realise how ex- pensive Cayman is and has gotten? – Alessandra Petrizzelli The only way it works is if you work six days a week, which most people in the hospitality industry in Cayman do. It’s not OK to expect people to work six days a week to keep their heads above water. Shame on the employers. – Rebecca De Stanleigh Green impacts of East-West Arterial extension reviewed Great news and badly needed. Our infrastructure is only 10 years behind. – Morne Botes The problem is by Hurley’s to Smith Road so this won’t help. Just hope when they finish that road they put metal rails around as I don’t want to have cars crashing in my backyard. – Esly Karina Opinion: Young people deserve a say in ‘Caymanian values’ This is the best article I have read in the Cayman Compass. I wish her good luck in the future. – Jullie Monette This article needs to be read, and really understood, by our community and business leaders, our educators, our parents and our politicians. I am the mother of two daughters – aged 22 and 19 – and we talk, so the sentiments expressed by Aleigha General are not new to me. They are real and we need to start really listening to our young people and helping to create a Cayman Islands that they feel a part of and feel welcome in. – Kathy Leggatt Jackson The world has progressed and evolved, while Cayman is dragged along by the anchors the author describes. With the elders having no will to discuss, this will sort itself out naturally in the next 10-15 years, as the old Caymanian thinking dies along with its aged population. If the dialogue does not begin, combined with the exodus of youth, generational Caymanians in their homeland will be in short supply. – Scott Ebanks-Bodden Model: ‘I had to leave Cayman to be myself’ Tell your story… speak your truth. Your existence is the valida- tion. Wishing you all the best. – Sean Rankine What they’re saying Online I have had the pleasure of fol- lowing you on your social media platform and I admire your work. Your inner beauty excels over all. You are beautiful and I applaud you for sharing your story with us and for the young women of today. – Judi Rankine Good luck with the rest of your journey. Thanks for sharing with other young stars that haven’t reached their potential yet. – Lindsay M Huskisson Shame on those who made her feel unworthy. Happens all too often in those private schools at the hands of the over- privileged. – Norena Milan Wow, what a strong and beau- tiful woman! So inspiring to read your story! Shout it out from the rooftops; you are heard! – Heather Lopez You’ve always had such shine and spirit Kayla. Thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully it helps others navigate their own paths ahead. Go get ‘em! – Jenny Frizzelle Love this family and both Kayla and her Mum’s story! Thanks for sharing! – Zoe Foster Public transport reform planned as traffic woes mount Hope they include free satel- lite parking lots for users of the transport system. – Josee L. Anderson Trying to solve a decades old and still-growing traffic-trans- portation crisis will surely be a tedious task. Another question to ask [is] why so many vehicles were allowed in the first place. Don’t we know from years ago we had more vehicles than roads but continue to import more? And, of course, more vehicles are revenue for government, while government [is] under pressure for solutions that revenue source has created. – Joseph Yates I think Dart made a proposal of a solar-powered tram, but that probably wouldn’t be island- wide; something that follows the same bus route, but runs above the traffic, so it’s less invasive. – Joie Ebanks More pedestrian paths, please, and road crossings near beaches. Spotts Beach area could be revitalised. It’s very popular with residents and families, especially now with extended parking, and Shamrock Road is a disaster. – Jennifer Marshall This is a fantastic idea and it’s about time! [In] some places around the world, only natives are given a driver’s licence; others take public transport. – Tania Morla A proper public bus (big one) that runs regularly with sched- uled pick-up routes would be a great asset as well as provide jobs for bus drivers. – Renee Bernardo Reliable, consistently running public transport has always been the answer. I just really hope this time someone pulls it off. Loving the ferry and bus system in Ber- muda right now. – Chelsea Tennant A secure and safe cycle lane! This island is perfect for bikes considering it’s so ridicu- lously flat. Let’s help the island and the planet. – Kimberley Jones Can people please start us- ing that little lever that makes the ticking sound on the steer- ing wheel!? This is your indicator and it indicates to other drivers which direction you are moving! This is a very helpful tool in roundabouts and lane-changing. – Corona Ecclefield Express lane only for buses, with proper schedule island-wide, including the eastern districts – Mirelys Rivas Wow, this has been under discussion for so long, so why is this one different? Nothing is ever done! – Nancy Rohleder Ships Ahoy: Gearing up for the return of cruise No cruise ships could have been Cayman’s unique sell- ing proposition. It would have encouraged more stay over and high-end tourism. What a wasted opportunity! – Anna Langley Nope. If I could have voted on this I would have said, ‘I’ll pass, no!’ Our waters are thriving and don’t need this. Focus should have been more on stayover visitors! – Kenesha P. Hurlston-Anderson There goes the darling little seahorses at Eden Rock. – Anne Witherspoon Armstrong Death knells to our reefs. – Helen LeRoy cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2022RESHMA RAGOONATH, ALVARO SEREY rragoonath@compassmedia.ky, aserey@compassmedia.ky Cayman residents dug deep into their pockets on 5 March, giving generously towards efforts to support the Ukrainian people who have been suffering due to the ongoing Russian invasion. Governor Martyn Roper was among nearly 500 people attending a special fundraising event, ‘Together with Ukraine’, at Rackam’s Waterfront, in support of the Ukrainian Red Cross that has been leading relief efforts in the wake of the Russian military assault which began last month. He said it was wonderful to see the turnout at the event. “I think that the community is really showing its support for Ukraine at this really difficult time. I think we’re all just shocked and saddened by what we’re seeing coming out of Ukraine at the moment and the news seems to get worse by the day. [There have] been attacks on civilians, indiscriminate attacks, and this is a really difficult moment for the people of Ukraine. So I think it’s wonderful that Cayman people are showing their solidarity and support,” he said. After the event, Rackam’s told Compass Media’s Gold 94.9 FM that the event had raised US$34,000. Roper, speaking with the Cayman Compass at the event, said he was glad to see the funds will be going to the Red Cross, adding that the United Kingdom had already raised about $85 million. Implementing sanctions Cayman, he said, has stepped up like the rest of the world in terms of enacting sanctions and “we’re doing absolutely everything that’s required of us to implement those sanctions”. “This is a really serious situation. I think the first thing is obviously the humanitarian tragedy for Ukraine. But secondly, this is an invasion of a country by another country. So this is against international law. It’s against territorial integrity and what happens in our world if bigger countries think they can just go in and invade smaller countries?” he said. In a post on his official Facebook page, Roper expressed solidarity with Ukrainians and their families fleeing the violence in their homeland. “We are all shocked by Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the terrible suffering of its people as cities are shelled and bombed indiscriminately. Such a war in Europe in 2022 is unthinkable. Even though these Islands are far away, these developments affect us all. As the Premier has said, it will affect energy prices, supply chains and our already high cost of living.” Roper, an experienced UK diplomat, lamented the realities of the unfolding battle in Europe that have far- reaching implications. Fighting for democracy This, he said, is also about democracy and freedom “because our democratic system is something that we should stand up for and fight for and protect, and we should value the democracy and freedoms that we have”. Tim Langfitt, Rackam’s manager, said it was a team effort to raise funds for the Ukrainians, many of whom have been forced to flee their homes. “The Caymankind that we always talk about, we’re seeing it. It’s fabulous,” he said. Ukrainian Olga Korobova, who also works at Rackam’s, was behind the fundraising effort. She said she was moved to tears to see the support from the community during this difficult time. “I’ve been working here for about 14 years now. I still have... tons of family, friends back home and I’ve been checking on them. This cause, obviously, it’s very, very close to my heart, it affects a lot of my close family,” she said. The Ukrainian community in Cayman, she said, is large, but others in the community have been stepping up and helping raise some money for the humanitarian need in her homeland. “We know it might not be a lot, but anything will help and everything counts... the response has been overwhelming,” she said. Rackam’s pledged 20% of the proceeds from food and drink sold on the night towards the humanitarian work of the Ukrainian Red Cross and a table was set up for people to donate to the cause. US$34K raised as Cayman stands ‘together with Ukraine’ “It’s wonderful that Cayman people are showing their solidarity and support.” Governor Martyn Roper Cayman's community came out in force to support the fundraiser for Ukraine, held at Rackam's on Saturday, 4 March. - Photos: Alvaro Serey cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2022 5JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky With rush-hour gridlock paralysing Grand Cayman’s roads, government is taking the first steps towards creating a comprehensive public transport system on the island. The Ministry of Tourism and Transport is seeking consultants to provide technical advice on the project. Minister Kenneth Bryan said government is prepared to subsidise a public bus system in an effort to help get cars off the roads. He said the consultants would come up with a comprehensive long-term strategy for transport. And he believes that will inevitably involved a public-private partnership, to create a bus system that runs on time and on schedule, regardless of how many passengers want to use it. “Right now, we don’t have a reliable system,” he said. “You can’t account for exactly when the bus is going to be there, where it’s going to pick you up. You can’t say I’m going to get to work on time and not lose my job because the bus is going to come.” Speaking on the Compass and Rooster 101’s ‘Beyond The Headlines’ news review show on Friday, 4 March, he said the solution would likely involve government partnering with the private sector or taking over responsibility for bus routes themselves. He acknowledged this would come at a cost, but said it was also an investment in solving traffic issues without relying on continuously building new roads. Public transport essential first step Bryan added that public transport was the first key step to bringing in further regulations to control traffic. He said regulations – such as congestion charges or a Bermuda-style policy restricting car ownership to one vehicle per household – could not be realistically considered until there was a viable alternative to ensure people could get to work. He also cited locating offices in the eastern districts or encouraging work- from-home policies as more innovative ways of reducing cars on the road at key times. Rush-hour traffic in Cayman has been a growing problem for years. A journey from Bodden Town to George Town can take an hour in the morning or evening – more than three times what it would take in free- flowing traffic. Bryan said previous governments had made poor decisions on this issue, leaving it to linger unresolved for too long. He cautioned there would be no quick fix, but characterised the request for proposals on a public transport plan as the beginning of efforts to find the solutions Cayman needs. Even with a functioning public transport system, he said it would take time to build the user confidence needed to persuade people to ditch their cars. “Until people feel comfortable enough to say, ‘I can do what I have to do every single day and I don’t need a car’, they will continue to buy a car and continue to drive a car,” he said. “I can’t promise the people that [this is] going to have an immediate effect on traffic. But I can promise that this government is going to try to fix this long-term problem that has been created by previous administrations, so that we can get the long-term benefits in the future.” Cruise study At the same time, Bryan’s ministry is putting out a tender for consultants to help devise a long- term strategy for cruise tourism. According to a request for proposals also published by the ministry, the winning bidder will be required to help government shape the future of the sector. “The cruise industry is an economic driver for specific Caymanian-owned businesses in water sports, retail, transport, and attractions. It is imperative to reshape the current approach to focus on quality [and] sustainably manage capacity, traveller traffic flow, and impact, as well as design new and innovative destination experiences,” the document states. Bryan said the aim was to find the right balance that allowed Caymanian businesses and workers to get the maximum benefit from cruise tourism while ensuring the sector does not have a negative impact on the more lucrative stayover trade. Public transport reform planned as traffic woes mount Traffic has been a long-term challenge in Cayman. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan speaking on ‘Beyond the Headlines’ news review show on 4 March. I can’t promise the people that [this is] going to have an immediate effect on traffic. But I can promise that this government is going to try to fix this long-term problem that has been created by previous administrations, so that we can get the long-term benefits in the future. - Kenneth Bryan, transport minister cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2022cayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2022 sponsored content Gynaecological preventative health TheCayman Islands Cancer Society is encouraging women to be proactive with their gynaecological health, by keeping up-to-date on preventative screenings for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the most common female genital cancer, followed by ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar and fallopian tube cancer. Dr. Sarath de Alwis, senior specialist/consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, breaks down one of the most useful tools in the screening for cervical cancer - the pap test. 1. WHAT IS A PAP TEST? Pap tests, or pap smears, screen the cervix of the uterus, through the vagina. They can detect pre- cancerous and cancerous cells. 2. WHY ARE PAP TESTS IMPORTANT? Early detection of pre-cancerous lesions and early cancer of the cervix is crucial in order to treat them, with pap smears being the best screening method. HPV (human papilloma virus) tests are sometimes administered in addition to pap smears. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world and can cause cervical cancer. 3. DOES THE TEST HURT? A pap smear done by a professional causes no pain. The speculum may give a little discomfort at entry. However, the procedure of obtaining the cells from the cervix is not painful at all, in the absence of an infection in the cervix or pelvis. 4. WHO NEEDS THE TEST AND HOW OFTEN? Ideally the pap smear should be done from ages 21 to 65, with or without symptoms, especially if a patient has been sexually active. Young girls could start pap smears after the ﬁrst year from the commencement of intercourse. In the absence of abnormal results, repeat smears could be done every three years. Some countries may advocate 5 year interval testing in non high-risk populations. However, those who have multiple partners, immune deﬁciency, who smoke, or have had HPV in the past, could consider doing an annual smear. After the age of 65 the frequency of pap tests could be reduced if no abnormal smears or cervical cancer in the past. 5. WHAT INFORMATION DO DOCTORS GET FROM THE TEST RESULTS? A negative result is given if only normal cervical cells are discovered. If abnormal or unusual cells are discovered, a positive result is delivered, but the meaning of this depends on the type of cells discovered. Further tests and subsequent management may be required. 6. WHAT ARE THE COMMON HPV TYPES? There may be more than 150 types of HPV, but only a few initiate normal cells to become abnormal. Fourteen HPV types are most commonly associated with cervical cancer, while others are associated with genital warts. HPV is also associated with anal, rectal, penile, scrotal, vulval, throat, had and neck cancer. For further information, visit cics.ky Risk factors for cervical cancer • HPV • Smoking • Prolonged use of oral contraceptives • HIV • Having multiple children • Multiple sexual partners (more than 3) • Early commencement of sexual activity • DES (diethylstilbestrol) exposure OPTION 5cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2022 8 in focus Hundreds turned out to walk from Seven Mile Public Beach to The Ritz-Carlton and back for the Breast Cancer Foundation’s Light Up The Night beach walk, which took place on 5 March. At the event, Governor Martyn Roper announced government has decided to establish a formal cancer registry, to ensure Cayman has the sufﬁ cient data to inform policy-making. – Photos: Taneos Ramsay The walk took hundreds of participants from Seven Mile Public Beach to The Ritz- Carlton and back. Kim Lund of the Breast Cancer Foundation, with Governor Martyn Roper, speaks to the crowd at the event.cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2022 9 10th Annual Women’s Health Conference 2022 Head to toe impact of women’s reproductive health Presented by Cayman Islands Health Services Authority 7:30am - 4:30pm Attend the event virtually – Watch live on CIG’s YouTube channel. On-site registration now closed. For the full conference agenda, visit www.hsa.ky. Online CMEs will be available. Sponsors: 11 Friday 11th March 2022 Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort The goal of the annual event is to increase awareness and raise funds for breast cancer patients and the foundation’s wellness programme. N news All ages were welcome to join in and grab a baton.Next >