medical oxygen tanks to be used to
treat patients. As well, authorities have
sourced a shipment from neighboring
French Guiana. That arrived earlier
this week and was plunged into use
immediately.
For May, 98 Surinamese died from
Covid and 11 on June 1, signaling that
the trend is headed upwards rather than
down. The country of about 500,000
people is in a full lockdown until June
18th, at least the third since cases were
first diagnosed in March of 2020.
Minister of Health, Amar Ramadhin
said the country was in dire straits
and hospitals were now only required
to admit patients with life threatening
situations as capacity was severely
limited.
“The situation is still worrying. Now
we are facing a 45 percent infection
rate. There are still between 200 and
300 infections every day. All operations
and admissions have been postponed
until further notice. The emergency
department is only intended for emergencies.
All other patients must see
their practitioner. The sick may only be
visited by one person,” he said.
In Trinidad, highly unusual special
10:00 am curfews have been implemented
for two national holidays this
1-on-1 help in person, online, or over the phone
Danielle Johnson
1-646-369-4811 TTY: 711
9 a.m. to 7 p.m., 6 days a week
Danielle.Johnson4@EmpireBlue.com
NY Lic. # LA-1551136
Authorized Agent
Hay disponibles servicios de traducción; póngase en contacto con
el plan de salud o su agente. ������������������������������
��������������������For costs, exclusions, limitations, terms,
and complete details of coverage, please contact your agent or the
health plan. Services provided by Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc.,
and/or Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and/or HEALTHPLUS
HP, LLC., licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an
association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.
Caribbean L 22 ife, June 4-10, 2021
week and others in the coming days to
curb social interaction as cases spike.
A total of 326 people died in the twinisland
republic with Tobago last month
as the main representative bodies have
thrown their support behind practically
any measures the Keith Rowley
cabinet has instituted. This included
a nighttime curfew and severe restrictions
on gyms, exercising, clubs and
sporting events among others. Several
high profile individuals have perished
in Trinidad including six police officers
and a very muscular former national
body building champ. Their deaths
have helped officials to point to the
seriousness of the disease and to argue
that the virus spares no one.
So far, the republic has recorded
507 deaths with 12 on Tuesday. Medical
doctor, Maryam Abdool-Richards
pointed to the fact that younger citizens
are dying in increasing numbers.
“The situation is very disturbing
and very concerning. We are not just
seeing deaths amongst the elderly
population and persons with pre-existing
conditions, but we are seeing
deaths even among the age group
of the 30s,” Newsday quoted her as
saying.
Authorities there have blamed
anti-crime vigils and increased social
interaction during the Easter weekend
for the latest spike, among other
reasons. Until then, the situation had
been under control relatively.
Meanwhile in Guyana, May has also
proven to be a deadly if not frightening
month for the country. This is
even as authorities there have refused
to take any new measures to restrict
public interaction. Municipal markets,
stores and wide open car parks are
crammed with people and locals could
party carefree all day until the curfew
begins at 10.30 pm.
For last month, 92 people died
including prominent journalist, Mondale
Smith and a young attorney but
doctors are calling attention to the fact
that a 17-year-old is now the youngest
to have perished. Minister of Health,
Frank Anthony said he was heartened
that about 25 percent of the population
was now vaccinated and supplies were
adequate and available. The total death
count to date is 391.
Continued from Cover
Continued from Cover
Myrie said the ability to sue reckless
corporations for damages doesn’t
destroy those companies.
“It creates an incentive for better,
safer practices in the marketplace,” he
said. “We’ve used our laws to protect
New Yorkers from harmful chemicals,
addictive pharmaceuticals and other
products. There is simply no excuse for
protecting the worst actors in the gun
industry while leaving our communities
exposed, vulnerable and without
recourse.”
Myrie said he was “proud” that his
Senate colleagues passed the “first-inthe
nation bill to finally restore some
balance between a multi-billion-dollar
gun industry and the New Yorkers terrorized,
injured and killed by its products.
“I am grateful to the many partners
and advocates, locally and across the
nation, who have helped get us to this
point, and I urge the Assembly to join
us in protecting our communities by
advancing our bill this session,” he
said.
Suriname’s new President Chan Santokhi.
REUTERS / Ranu Abhelakh, fi le
Gun industry
liability bill
passes senate
COVID DEATHS
SOAR
Let’s explore
your Medicare
plan options
As a local Empire Medicare representative, I can help
you choose a plan with the benefits you deserve.
Y0114_21_123303_I_C_6042 10/01/2020
510637MUSENMUB_6042
SHOP YOUR CITY
CHALLENGE
Your photos may
be shared to the
NYC Department
of Small Business
Services’
Instagram stories!
Show your support for
small businesses and enter
our contest for a chance
to win a prize!
Snap a photo of you
showing your support for
local businesses
Share to Instagram using
#ShopYourCity and tag
@nycsmallbiz
Winners will be selected by
a panel of judges to
win a $50 gift card to use
at small businesses
1
2
3
No purchase necessary.
Full details can be found at
nyc.gov/ShopYourCity
link
/ShopYourCity
link
