MIAMI — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes going on a cruise ship is among one of the riskiest forms of travel during the current global health crisis, but has turned a blind eye to air travel and the complete lack of testing, distancing, or protocols to stem the spread of COVID-19. Over the weekend, the […]
Category: Health News
As COVID-19 Ravages Black Floridians, Holiday Plans Are Put On Hold To Mourn The Dead
MIAMI — Eric Pitts isn’t really in a celebratory mood. The Liberty City native’s past six months have been the most difficult period of his life. In May, he lost his father, Reverend Marvin Pitts, 78, to COVID-19. A month and a half later, his mother, Dr. Dorothy Pitts, 77, succumbed to the coronavirus. The […]
New Jersey Fisherman Pays $4,000 ‘Ransom’ To Escape Crude BVI Jail And Be Home In Time For Thanksgiving
ROAD TOWN, Tortola — New Jersey commercial fisherman Michael Foy, who was held prisoner in a crude British Virgin Islands jail cell for more than four months, has finally returned home. Foy was imprisoned in June after being charged with “illegal entry and unlicensed fishing” after being told by the BVI customs department to dock his boat […]
Puerto Rico To Administer COVID-19 Vaccinations In Mid-December
SAN JUAN -— Officials in Puerto Rico announced today that it expects to receive its first COVID-19 vaccines by mid-December as the island hits a record number of daily cases and hospitalizations. Health care workers, teachers and certain public sector employees are among those who will take priority, officials said. “This will be the best gift we […]
VIPD Urges Motorists To Boycott ‘Blackout Wednesday’ This Thanksgiving Eve
FREDERIKSTED — Some of the terms used to describe the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving are “Blackout Wednesday” and “Drunksgiving.’’ We view it as an alarming tradition that people need to seriously consider altering. Perhaps even more than New Year’s Eve, the night before Thanksgiving has become the most alcohol-fueled night on the calendar. Scores of […]
U.S. Airlines Add COVID-19 Testing to Popular Caribbean Destinations
CANCUN — U.S. airlines are adding flights, and in some cases COVID-19 testing programs, for travel to Mexico and the Caribbean, a region central to carriers’ strategies to tap into pockets of holiday demand before a vaccine makes its way around the world. Beachside resort destinations in areas like Cancun are the only spots that […]
Governor Bryan Urges Extra Caution For Thanksgiving Holiday Gatherings
CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan wished Virgin Islanders a safe and healthy Thanksgiving holiday, imploring all the territory’s residents to follow CDC guidelines for any family gatherings. Bryan also suggested that everyone make Friday, November 27, a “Day of Family, Prayer and Reflection” to consider the tough year everyone has had with the COVID-19 pandemic and […]
Bryan Begs Congress For $800 Million In Loan Forgiveness, FEMA Matching Funds Payouts … And More $Millions In COVID-19 Relief
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan has written to the leadership of the U.S. Congress asking for additional federal COVID-19 relief for the territory as the USVI struggles with the dormant tourism industry and the continuing financial drain on the economy and local business community. In his letter to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority […]
Dominican Republic Says Its Citizens Will Be Among The 1st In The World To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine; Will USVI People Be The Last?
SANTO DOMINGO — Virgin Islands Department of Health Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis said on November 17 that the territory would receive doses of the FDA-approved coronavirus vaccine “at the same time as the states.” The question then becomes, how soon will that be? USA Today quoted FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn today as saying that […]
St. Croix Artist’s ‘Mask Mission’ Project Featured In Pandemic Art Exhibition In New York City
NEW YORK — St. Croix artist Danica M. David’s “Mask Mission” project is currently featured at “Awareness through Conceptual Art and Photography,” an online exhibition at the X Gallery in New York City. The exhibition features Pandemic art and is part of a permanent online collection reflecting one of the world’s most difficult times.This came […]