Virginia's 1st female lt. gov. takes her seat in the Senate
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Virginia's 1st female lt. gov. takes her seat in the Senate
By SARAH RANKIN win election, did not give
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — lengthy prepared remarks.
History-making Republican She acknowledged her
Winsome Earle-Sears be- husband, a daughter, a
gan her tenure presiding staffer and a family friend
over the Virginia Senate who were visiting in the
on Monday as the state's gallery and tweeted that
first woman to serve as lieu- it was "a privilege to serve
tenant governor and the the people of the Com-
first Black woman to hold monwealth."
statewide office. Earle-Sears was part of a
"This indeed is an historic GOP sweep of Virginia's
moment," said Sen. Mark top offices in November.
Obenshain, who gave a She was sworn in Saturday,
speech welcoming the along with Gov. Glenn
presiding officer who will be Youngkin and Attorney
referred to as madam pres- Gen. Jason Miyares. The
ident. A standing ovation party will also enjoy a new
followed from members of majority in the House of
both parties and guests in Delegates, meaning Dem-
the gallery. ocrats' sole remaining hold
Earle-Sears, a former mem- on power in Richmond will
ber of the state House who be in the Senate, where
last year returned from a their majority is a razor-thin breaking votes as she over- ant governor is also second is often a steppingstone to
nearly 20-year absence 21-19. sees the procedural flow of in line to the governorship, higher office.
from elected office to Earle-Sears will cast tie- the chamber. The lieuten- and the part-time position Continued on next page
A2 UP FRONT
Tuesday 18 January 2022
Continued from Front who was elected in 1985, before deciding not to shelter and run a plumbing to find compromise on is-
Earle-Sears takes over the was the first. seek reelection. After mov- and electrical supply com- sues ranging from educa-
role from previous Lt. Gov. A staunch conservative ing, she unsuccessfully pany. Earle-Sears used the tion to public safety to the
Justin Fairfax, who did not who speaks frequently challenged U.S. Rep. Bob- last name Sears during her state's spending plan.
seek reelection and in- about her Christian faith, by Scott in a race The As- campaign. Chris Saxman, Youngkin, a political new-
stead unsuccessfully ran Earle-Sears has made his- sociated Press described her transition director, said comer and former private
for the Democratic nomi- tory as a woman in politics at the time as "a cam- Earle-Sears is her prefer- equity executive, was
nation for governor. before. paign of raw invective." ence moving forward. scheduled to give his first
A Marine veteran who im- She got her start in elected She went on to serve on Monday marked the fourth address to lawmakers later
migrated to the United office in 2001 when she the State Board of Educa- day of this year's 60-day Monday afternoon.
States from Jamaica as a stunned both parties by tion and more recently as legislative session. Most Monday also marked a
child, Earle-Sears defeat- defeating a 10-term Dem- the national chair of an legislation is continuing to traditional day of advoca-
ed Democrat Hala Ayala ocrat in an overwhelming- organization dedicated make its way through the cy at the Capitol. The Mar-
last year to become only ly blue district to become to reelecting former Presi- subcommittee and com- tin Luther King Jr. holiday
the second woman in Vir- the first Black Republican dent Donald Trump. She's mittee process. Because has long offered a chance
ginia's long history to serve woman elected to the also led a men's prison of the split party control for Virginia residents, of-
in a statewide office. Attor- House of Delegates. ministry, served as direc- of the General Assembly, ten with a day off work, to
ney Gen. Mary Sue Terry, She served just one term tor of a women's homeless lawmakers will be forced meet with lawmakers.q
On MLK Day, Biden says Americans must commit to King's work
ing to pass voting rights leg- many as 55 million Ameri- his name you have to stand
islation, even as 19 Repub- cans to vote ... that is one up for voting rights, you
lican-led states have made out of six people in our have to stand up on behalf
it harder to vote in response country." of the poor and the op-
to former President Donald "We know that this assault pressed and the disenfran-
Trump's false claims about on our freedom to vote will chised."
election-rigging. be felt by every American, King, who delivered his
"You were successful with in every community, in ev- historic "I Have a Dream"
infrastructure, which is a ery political party," she said. speech while leading the
great thing -- but we need Sen. Tim Scott of South 1963 March on Washing-
you to use that same ener- Carolina, the Senate's only ton and was awarded the
gy to ensure that all Ameri- Black Republican, coun- Nobel Peace Prize in 1964,
cans have the same unen- tered with a series of King considered racial equality
cumbered right to vote," Day-themed videos he inseparable from alleviat-
Martin Luther King III said. said would emphasize posi- ing poverty and stopping
Senate Republicans re- tive developments on civil war. His insistence on non-
By JEFF MARTIN and MI- cities and the annual Mar- main unified in opposition rights. Scott sidestepped violent protest continues
CHAEL WARREN undefined tin Luther King Jr. service at to the Democrats' voting criticism about GOP ac- to influence activists push-
ATLANTA (AP) — Americans the slain civil rights leader's bills. Biden described their tions and accused Demo- ing for civil rights and social
must commit to the unfin- Ebenezer Baptist Church stonewalling as part of "a crats of labeling his party change.
ished work of Martin Luther in Atlanta, where U.S. Sen. true attack on our democ- members as racists. The U.S. economy "has nev-
King Jr., delivering jobs and Raphael Warnock is the racy, from the Jan. 6 insur- "To compare or conflate er worked fairly for Black
justice and protecting "the senior pastor. Pews have rection to the onslaught people who oppose his po- Americans — or, really, for
sacred right to vote, a right been packed by politicians of Republican anti-vot- sitions as being racists and any American of color,"
from which all other rights in past years, but given the ing laws in an number of traitors to the country is not Treasury Secretary Janet
flow," President Joe Biden pandemic, many offered states." only insulting and infuriat- Yellen said in a speech
said Monday. pre-recorded speeches in- "It's no longer just about ing, it's dead wrong," Scott delivered Monday, one
Martin Luther King Day is stead. who gets to vote. It's about told The Associated Press. of many by national lead-
a moment when a mirror This holiday marks what who gets to count the vote. Warnock, now running for ers acknowledging unmet
is held up to America, the would have been the 93rd And whether your vote reelection as Georgia's needs for racial equality on
president said in a video birthday of the Rev. Martin counts at all. It's about two first Black senator, said in Martin Luther King Day.
address. Luther King Jr., who was just insidious things: voter sup- his speech to the sparse Yellen referred to King's fa-
"It's time for every elected 39 when he was assassi- pression and election sub- crowd at Ebenezer that mous speech in remarks she
official in America to make nated in 1968 while helping version," Biden said. "everybody loves Dr. King, recorded for delivery at the
it clear where they stand," sanitation workers strike for Vice President Kamala they just don't always love Rev. Al Sharpton's National
Biden said. "It's time for better pay and workplace Harris sent a to the Ebene- what he represents." Action Network breakfast
every American to stand safety in Memphis, Tennes- zer service, saying that "in "Let the word go forth, you in Washington, noting the
up. Speak out, be heard. see. Georgia and across our can not remember Dr. King financial metaphor he
Where do you stand?" King's eldest son criticized nation, anti-voter laws are and dismember his legacy used when describing the
Major holiday events in- Biden and Congress as a being passed that could at the same time," War- founding fathers' promises
cluded marches in several whole on Monday for fail- make it more difficult for as nock said. "If you will speak of equality.q
U.S. NEWS A3 Tuesday 18 January 2022
Texas rabbi says he, 2 hostages escaped synagogue standoff
By JAKE BLEIBERG and ERIC "He was just all over the
TUCKER Associated Press map. He was pretty irritat-
COLLEYVILLE, Texas (AP) — ed and the more irritated
The rabbi of a Texas syna- he got, he'd make more
gogue said Monday that threats, like 'I'm the guy
he threw a chair at the gun- with the bomb. If you make
man and then escaped a mistake, this is all on you.'
with two other hostages And he'd laugh at that,"
after a 10-hour standoff, Francis said. "He was clearly
crediting past security train- in extreme distress."
ing for getting himself and Colleyville, a community
his congregation out safely. of about 26,000 people, is
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walk- about 15 miles (23 kilome-
er told "CBS Mornings" that ters) northeast of Fort Worth.
he let the gunman in Satur- Reached outside his home
day because he appeared Sunday, Cytron-Walker de-
to need shelter. He said the clined to speak at length
man was not threatening about the episode. "It's a
or suspicious at first. Later, little overwhelming as you
he heard a gun click as he can imagine.
was praying. It was not fun yesterday,"
Another man held hostage, he told the AP.
Jeffrey R. Cohen, described Andrew Marc Paley, a Dal-
the ordeal on Facebook. las rabbi who was called to
"First of all, we escaped. We the scene to help families
weren't released or freed," ranting on a Facebook sale, according to a person Michael Finfer, the presi- and hostages upon their
Cohen said. livestream of the services familiar with the matter who dent of the congregation, release, said Cytron-Walk-
Cohen said the men and demanding the re- spoke on condition of ano- said in a statement "there er acted as a calm and
worked to keep the gun- lease of Aafia Siddiqui, a nymity because the inves- was a one in a million comforting presence. The
man engaged. They talked Pakistani neuroscientist sus- tigation is ongoing. Akram chance that the gunman first hostage was released
to the gunman, he lec- pected of having ties to al- arrived in the U.S. at John F. picked our congregation." shortly after 5 p.m. That
tured them. At one point as Qaida who was convicted Kennedy International Air- Akram used his phone dur- was around the time food
the situation devolved, Co- of trying to kill U.S. Army of- port in New York about two ing the course of negotia- was delivered to those in-
hen said the gunman told ficers in Afghanistan. weeks ago, a law enforce- tions to communicate with side the synagogue, but
them to get on their knees. The investigation stretched ment official said. people other than law en- Paley said he did not know
Cohen recalled rearing up to England, where late Sun- Akram arrived in the U.S. re- forcement, according to if it was part of the negotia-
in his chair and slowly mov- day police in Manchester cently on a tourist visa from a law enforcement official tions.
ing his head and mouth- announced that two teen- Great Britain, according to who was not authorized to Cytron-Walker said his con-
ing "no." As the gunman agers were in custody in a U.S. official who spoke on discuss an ongoing investi- gregation had received
moved to sit back down, connection with the stand- condition of anonymity be- gation by name and spoke training from local authori-
Cohen said Cytron-Walker off. Greater Manchester cause the information was on condition of anonymity. ties and the Secure Com-
yelled to run. Police tweeted that coun- not intended to be public. Multiple people heard the munity Network, which was
"The exit wasn't too far ter-terrorism officers had London's Metropolitan Po- hostage-taker refer to Sid- founded in 2004 by a coali-
away," Cytron-Walker said. made the arrests but did lice said in a statement that diqui as his "sister" on the tion of Jewish organizations
"I told them to go. I threw a not say whether the pair its counter-terrorism police livestream. But John Floyd, and describes itself as "the
chair at the gunman, and I faced any charges. were liaising with U.S. au- board chair for the Hous- official safety and security
headed for the door. And Video of the standoff's end thorities about the incident. ton chapter of the Council organization" of the Jewish
all three of us were able to from Dallas TV station WFAA U.K. Home Secretary Priti on American-Islamic Rela- community in North Amer-
get out without even a shot showed people running out Patel told the House of tions — the nation's largest ica. Michael Masters, the
being fired." a door of the synagogue, Commons on Monday that Muslim advocacy group — CEO of the organization,
Authorities identified the and then a man holding she had spoken to her U.S. said Siddiqui's brother, Mo- said the congregation had
hostage-taker as 44-year- a gun opening the same counterpart, Alejandro hammad Siddiqui, was not provided security training in
old British national Malik door just seconds later be- Mayorkas, and offered "the involved. August and had not been
Faisal Akram, who was fore he turned around and full support" of the police Texas resident Victo- previously aware of Akram.
killed Saturday night after closed it. Moments later, and security services in Brit- ria Francis, who said she The standoff led authorities
the last hostages ran out of several shots and then an ain in the investigation. watched about an hour to tighten security in other
Congregation Beth Israel explosion could be heard. It wasn't clear why Akram of the livestream, said she places, including New York
around 9 p.m. Authorities have declined chose the synagogue, heard the man rant against City, where police said that
The FBI on Sunday night is- to say who shot Akram, say- though the prison where America and claim he had they increased their pres-
sued a statement calling ing it was still under investi- Siddiqui is serving her sen- a bomb. Biden said there ence "at key Jewish institu-
the ordeal "a terrorism-re- gation. tence is in nearby Fort were apparently no explo- tions" out of an abundance
lated matter, in which the President Joe Biden called Worth. sives, despite the threats. of caution.q
Jewish community was tar- the episode an act of ter-
LIKE US ON
geted" and said the Joint ror. Speaking to reporters
Terrorism Task Force is in- in Philadelphia on Sunday,
vestigating. The agency Biden said Akram allegedly
noted that Akram spoke purchased a weapon on
repeatedly during negotia- the streets.
tions about a prisoner who Federal investigators be-
is serving an 86-year sen- lieve Akram purchased
tence in the U.S. the handgun used in the
Akram could be heard hostage taking in a private Facebook.com/arubatoday/
A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 18 January 2022
How's he doing? Americans weigh in on Biden's performance
By The Associated Press un- should've been a great
defined accomplishment. Get the
President Joe Biden took bulldozers and shovels roll-
office at a particularly po- ing and get to work. She
larized time in American adds: "The Build Back Bet-
history, so it's not surprising ter plan, I think there's too
that citizens are divided much in there that I don't
on his performance at the see the need for it, or I don't
one-year mark. know that the federal gov-
A Georgia history teacher ernment is the solution for
who voted for Biden would it."
give him a "C" grade, fault- ___
ing the president for not THE TRUMP VOTER WHO'S
pushing earlier to end the NOT IMPRESSED
filibuster in the Senate but Eric Ollarsaba says Biden's
supportive of his Build Back presidency has been "pret-
Better plan. ty bad." But the 33-year-old
A retired nurse in Iowa who Trump voter isn't surprised.
supported Pete Buttigieg "He's pretty much doing
in the Democratic primary exactly what I expected
says she's been impressed him to do," says Ollarsaba,
by the way Biden has up- a registered independent
held the dignity of the of- who lives in Phoenix and
fice. Russia, all at the same time, aisle," Uchimura says. "But I of the backlash to Biden's works at an online car re-
A registered independent and he doesn't seem to wish he would have recog- 2020 victory. tailer. "He's a career politi-
in Arizona who voted for care how he looks," Prich- nized earlier that this era of Biden's election win is still cian."
former President Donald ard says. "Because it's not bipartisanship seems to be unreal to many Americans, He is disappointed Biden
Trump says Biden's first year real good right now for him, pretty much on thin ice." she says. shut the Keystone XL oil
has been "pretty bad," cit- even though there's less ___ "And the absolute revolt pipeline, and he was ap-
ing the shutdown of the people dying than if Trump THE BIDEN VOTER WHO DE- that has come about since palled by the chaotic U.S.
Keystone XL oil pipeline were there." CRIES POLARIZATION absolutely goes directly military exit from Afghani-
and the chaotic Afghani- "Trump, turns out, only Lynn Manning-John, a to the school boards," she stan.
stan withdrawal. cared about how he school principal on a Na- says. "We're probably going to
Here's what else Americans looked," Prichard says. tive American reservation ___ be reliant on other coun-
have to say about the job ___ on the Nevada-Idaho bor- THE BIDEN VOTER WARY OF tries for energy, which I
Biden has done so far: THE TEACHER WHO GIVES der, is pleased with Biden's LIBERALS could potentially see lead-
THE TRUMP-TO-BIDEN VOTER BIDEN A 'C' GRADE first year in office but worries Patrick Sweeney voted for ing to another conflict, or
Craig Prichard believes Kai Uchimura, a high school his presidency has further Biden but has been dis- us involving ourselves in an-
Donald Trump should be history teacher who lives in polarized her community. appointed the president other war," Ollarsaba says.
in jail. But he's far from your Decatur, Georgia, voted At a Walmart in Elko Coun- hasn't pushed back more "I think we still needed a
typical anti-Trumper: He for Biden in 2020. He'd give ty, Nevada, a ranching re- against the left wing of the U.S. presence in Afghani-
voted for him in 2016. him a "C" grade so far. gion that heavily supported Democratic Party. stan. Not major military op-
But not in 2020. "No, sir," says Uchimura, 26, describes the former president, she's "I wish he would claim erations, but we still need a
the 65-year-old self-de- himself as leaning left on overheard customers com- and stake out the middle presence and I think that
scribed independent from most issues, though he is plain about how Biden's ground, and be more that, would make that region —
Des Moines, Iowa. not a registered Democrat. agenda has permeated 'This is what the Democrat- at least for the United States
Prichard is still angry at He says he supports Biden's "Trump country." ic Party represents,'" says — a little less dangerous."
Trump over the Jan. 6 social policy bill that re- "There is just a reluctance Sweeney, a 62-year-old re- The U.S. should not have
Capitol insurrection, say- mains stalled in Congress, to support the current presi- tired educator in a Phoenix had to rely on the Taliban's
ing he believes the former but thinks Democrats have dent," the 45-year-old inde- suburb who is not affiliated cooperation to evacuate
president caused it. But it done a poor job of explain- pendent voter says. "There's with a political party. Americans from Afghani-
was Trump's handling of ing its benefits. pushback towards any- "So much of the conversa- stan, he says. He worries
the coronavirus pandemic "That Build Back Better plan, thing that he puts forward, tion seems to get focused ceding influence there will
that led Prichard to vote for it seemed like no one knew even if it's good and com- on the extreme left wing allow terrorist groups to
Biden in 2020. what was in the bill except mon sense." She was espe- of the Democratic Party gain a foothold.
"Trump wanted to make it for the cost," he says. cially happy with Biden's and progressive positions," ___
look like COVID was going He also faults Biden for nomination of Deb Haa- Sweeney says. "I think he THE DEMOCRAT WHO PRE-
away," Prichard says. "That not pushing earlier to end land, a fellow Native Ameri- needs to be more front and FERRED MAYOR PETE
wasn't the way to take the filibuster in the Senate can, as interior secretary. center in countering that." Biden wasn't Kathleen
care of it." that requires 60 votes to The superintendent and five Sweeney is pleased with Paul's first pick. The 74-year-
Prichard, who for 40 years advance most legislation. out of seven school board the infrastructure bill Biden old retired nurse liked Pete
built farm machinery, Last week, for the first time, members in Elko County re- signed into law but wishes Buttigieg in the Democratic
worked construction and Biden directly advocated signed last year during pro- he'd stopped there instead primary.
eventually retired after a eliminating the filibuster in tests from parents' groups of pushing a massive in- "I thought Biden was sort
stint at a meatpacking order to debate and vote opposed to lesson plans crease in social service of 'Jokin' Joe,'" Paul says.
plant last year, says Biden on election and voting about equity and diversity spending. "He said things that were so
is "handling COVID as well rights legislation. in the parts of the county "I was enthusiastic about off-the-cuff when (Barack)
as he can" while juggling a "I know that when he was outside the Duck Valley In- the original infrastructure Obama was president. I
number of other issues. coming into office, he had dian Reservation. plan," Sweeney says. "I think thought, 'Can we really
"Biden, you can tell he's try- this message of trying to Manning-John sees the res- it's long overdue, and I was take this guy seriously?'"
ing to handle the pandem- unite the country and ex- ignations and the parents' really glad to see it, and Turns out, a bit to her sur-
ic, food prices, gas prices, tend a hand across the demands as an outgrowth I think that could've and prise, she can.q
WORLD NEWS A5 Tuesday 18 January 2022 China's Xi rejects 'Cold War mentality,' pushes cooperation By JAMEY KEATEN the expense of others will GENEVA (AP) — Chinese not help," he added. "The President Xi Jinping called right way forward for hu- Monday for greater world manity is peaceful devel- cooperation against CO- opment and win-win coop- VID-19 and said China eration." would send an additional 1 Xi said China "stands ready billion doses of vaccine to to work with" other govern- other countries, while urg- ments on climate but an- ing other powers to discard nounced no new initiatives a "Cold-War mentality" at and offered no resources. a time of rising geopolitical He said it was up to devel- tensions — a veiled swipe oped countries to provide at the United States. money and technology. The Chinese leader touted After Xi spoke, Moderna his country's efforts to share CEO Stephane Bancel said vaccines, fight climate during a session on the change and promote de- future of COVID-19 that velopment at home and he hoped the U.S.-based abroad as he delivered the company would have a opening speech of a virtual combined vaccine booster gathering hosted by the ready to test in advanced World Economic Forum. research in the second The online event is being quarter, saying a best-case held in place of its annual "This is such a formidable vi- billion — including a dona- tensions between the Unit- scenario would be if the January meeting in Davos, rus," Fauci said, noting the tion of 600 million doses to ed States and China have single shot covering both Switzerland, because of difficulty in achieving herd Africa and an extra 150 mil- simmered on topics like Tai- flu and COVID-19 would be health concerns linked to immunity against COVID-19 lion to Southeast Asia. wan, intellectual property, ready for use next year. the coronavirus pandemic. because of the tendency By comparison, managers trade, human rights and "I don't think it would hap- The global outbreak that of immunity to fade, even of the U.N.-backed CO- the South China Sea. pen in every country, but has claimed over 5.5 mil- after vaccination. "You VAX program to ship vac- "We need to discard Cold we believe it's possible to lion lives and upended make the virus have an ad- cines to developing coun- War mentality and seek happen in some countries the world economy was vantage when you don't tries announced over the peaceful coexistence and next year," Bancel said. another theme. In a panel implement in a unified way weekend that it has now win-win outcomes. Our Moderna has been heav- session on the virus, Mod- all the very well-recognized delivered 1 billion vaccine world today is far from be- ily criticized for prioritizing erna's CEO said the vac- public health measures, doses. ing tranquil," said Xi, through distribution of its COVID-19 cine maker was working particularly the vaccines." Xi touched on standard a translator. "Protectionism vaccines to rich countries; on a single-shot booster Xi, who hasn't left China themes from previous talks and unilateralism can pro- only a fraction of its supply for both COVID-19 and the since the coronavirus to international audienc- tect no one. They ultimate- has gone to poor countries flu, while U.S. infectious dis- emerged in early 2020, said es, including responding ly hurt the interests of others via COVAX. He said the eases expert Dr. Anthony in his speech that China to trading partners' com- as well as one's own. Even company was aiming to Fauci lamented as "very has exported over 2 billion plaints by promising to worse are the practices of make about 2 to 3 billion disturbing" the reluctance doses of its COVID-19 vac- open China's state-domi- hegemony and bullying, doses this year and hopes of many Americans to fol- cines to over 120 countries nated economy wider to which run counter to the to have data from a new low basic measures like and international institu- private and foreign com- tide of history. vaccine tweaked to ad- mask-wearing and getting tions. He announced plans petition. "A zero-sum approach that dress the omicron variant in vaccinated. to provide an additional 1 His comments come as enlarges one's own gain at March.q COVID program delivers 1 billion doses to poorer countries BERLIN (AP) — The World tries to prioritize COVAX. It and know-how by pharma- Health Organization said said that, as of Thursday, 36 ceutical companies meant Sunday that a U.N.-backed of its 194 member countries manufacturing capacity program shipping coro- had vaccinated less than went unused." navirus vaccines to many 10% of their population and At the end of December, poor countries has now de- 88 had vaccinated less WHO Director-General livered 1 billion doses, but than 40%. Tedros Adhanom Ghe- that milestone "is only a re- The program has made de- breyesus urged everyone minder of the work that re- liveries to 144 countries so to make a "new year's reso- mains" after hoarding and far, "but the work that has lution" to get behind a cam- stockpiling in rich countries. gone into this milestone is paign to vaccinate 70% of A shipment of 1.1 million only a reminder of the work countries' populations by COVID-19 vaccine doses that remains," WHO said in the beginning of July. In a to Rwanda on Saturday a statement. newspaper interview pub- included the billionth dose "COVAX's ambition was lished Sunday, Germany's supplied via the COVAX compromised by hoard- new international devel- program, the U.N. health ing/stockpiling in rich coun- opment minister said she needs in 2022. was quoted as telling the agency said. tries, catastrophic out- wants to use her country's "Unfortunately, there are Funke newspaper group. WHO has long criticized breaks leading to borders presidency this year of the still too few countries par- "Alongside Sweden, Nor- unequal distribution of vac- and supply being locked," it Group of Seven industrial ticipating in the financing way, Canada and the U.S., cines and called for manu- added. "And a lack of shar- nations to ensure that CO- of the global vaccination we are the ones who are facturers and other coun- ing of licenses, technology VAX gets the resources it campaign," Svenja Schulze giving most. q
A6 WORLD NEWS
Tuesday 18 January 2022
Omicron slamming S. American hospitals as workers fall ill
pitalization and death. December. All elective coming days, in line with
Lesser severity leaves South surgeries scheduled in the the health ministry's recent-
America's residents loath to state health network have ly-issued guidelines.
give up their long-awaited been suspended for four Similar measures are being
summer that, so they were weeks. As for urgent care, enacted by authorities in
told, would mark a return relocations and overtime France and the U.S., where
to normality after full vacci- are being used as stopgap omicron has been putting
nation. The enduring pan- measures. hospital systems to the test
demic often seems an af- "Forty percent of our staff is for weeks.
terthought to people who on sick leave," Marcia Fer- Chile has seen a constant
are out and about, and nandes Lucas, health sec- increase in its number of
don't glimpse how omicron retary for the municipality cases, prompting the reac-
has started affecting medi- of Sao Joao de Meriti, in tivation of public- and pri-
cal staff. Beaches were Rio's metropolitan region, vate-sector hospital beds,
By DÉBORA ÁLVARES and able. About two-thirds of packed this weekend in Ar- told the AP in her office. but so far the country hasn't
ALMUDENA CALATRAVA its roughly 435 million resi- gentina and Brazil. "We are able to work with experienced hospital over-
Associated Press dents are fully immunized, Matías Fernández Norte, these 60% by redeploy- load. Peru has also seen
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — The the highest percentage for a surgeon at the Hospital ing them (between health case its numbers rise, but its
coronavirus' omicron vari- any global region, accord- de Clínicas in Buenos Aires, centers)." facilities aren't yet suffering.
ant starting to barrel across ing to Our World in Data. told the AP that the high Public hospitals in Bo- The Pan American Health
South America is pressuring And health workers in Brazil, number of professionals on livia are operating at 50- Organization said Wednes-
hospitals whose employees Bolivia and Argentina have leave has generated "phys- 70% capacity due to the day it expects omicron to
are taking sick leave, leav- already been receiving ical and spiritual fatigue, high number of infections become the predominant
ing facilities understaffed to booster shots. in addition to the stress of among health care work- coronavirus variant in the
cope with COVID-19's third But the omicron variant is dealing with a patient on ers, according to the Bo- Americas in the coming
wave. defying vaccines, sending the edge." livian doctors' union. In week. Ten countries in the
A major hospital in Bolivia's case numbers surging. Ar- "You feel like you are liv- Santa Cruz, the country's region — especially in the
largest city stopped admit- gentina saw an average ing a parallel reality. In the most populous city, the Caribbean — didn't reach
ting new patients due to 112,000 daily confirmed street you meet a world Children's Hospital is over- the goal set by the World
lack of personnel, and one cases in the week through that doesn't seem to feel whelmed — but less by its Health Organization to
of Brazil's most populous Jan. 16, up from 3,700 a the pandemic," he said. number of patients than have 40% of citizens fully
states canceled sched- month earlier. Brazil's health "Sometimes it feels like the amount of staff fall- vaccinated by end-2021.
uled surgeries for a month. ministry is still recovering people have forgotten. Un- ing ill, according to Freddy While a smaller fraction of
Argentina's federation of from a hack that left coro- fortunately, that's what we Rojas, its vice director. Last people develop serious ill-
private healthcare provid- navirus data incomplete; feel." week, the facility stopped ness from the the highly-
ers told the AP it estimates even so, it shows a jump Brazil's council of state admitting new patients. transmissible variant, the
about 15% of its health to an average 69,000 daily health secretariats esti- "There has been a collapse, crush of contagion and
workers currently have the cases in the same seven- mates that between 10% because we don't have re- resulting strain on hospitals
virus. day period, up 1,900% from and 20% of all profession- placements," said José Luís means omicron shouldn't
The third wave "is affect- the month before. als in the health network — Guaman, interim president be underestimated, said
ing the health team a lot, Omicron spreads even eas- including doctors, nurses, of the doctors' union in San- Lula, of the Brazilian health
from the cleaning staff to ier than other strains, and is nurse technicians, ambu- ta Cruz. secretariat council.
the technicians, with a high already dominant in many lance drivers and others Such is the risk of medi- "People have to under-
percentage of sick people, countries — among them, in direct contact with pa- cal services grinding to stand that the argument
despite having a complete Brazil and some parts of Ar- tients — have taken sick a halt in Argentina's Bue- that omicron is 'mild' is
vaccination schedule," gentina. It also more easily leave since the last week nos Aires province — the false," Lula said. ___
said Jorge Coronel, presi- infects those who have al- of 2021. country's most populous — Calatrava reported from
dent of Argentina's medi- ready been vaccinated or "We are having trouble that health workers have Buenos Aires. Reporters
cal confederation. "While infected by earlier versions making the schedules," been allowed to return to Carlos Valdez and Paola
symptoms are mostly mild of the virus. Early studies said the council's director, work even if coming into Flores contributed to this
to moderate, that group show omicron is less likely to Carlos Lula. contact with someone in- report from La Paz, Bolivia,
needs to be isolated." cause serious diseases than The press office of Rio de fected, provided they are Mario Lobão from Rio de
It wasn't supposed to be the delta variant, and vac- Janeiro state's health sec- asymptomatic and vacci- Janeiro, Patricia Luna and
this way: South America's cination and booster shots retariat told the AP that nated. Other provinces in Eva Vergara from Santiago,
vaccine uptake was ea- still offer strong protection about 5,500 professionals Argentina are expected to Chile, and Franklin Briceño
ger once shots were avail- against serious illness, hos- have left their jobs since adopt the same rules in the from Lima, Peru.q
Out of this world: 555.55-carat black diamond lands in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Auction as a possible payment as well. from outer space.
house Sotheby's Dubai has unveiled a diamond Sophie Stevens, a jewelry specialist at Sotheby's "With the carbonado diamonds, we believe
that's literally from out of this world. Dubai, told The Associated Press that the num- that they were formed through extraterrestrial
Sotheby's calls the 555.55-carat black diamond ber five bears an importance significance to origins, with meteorites colliding with the Earth
— believed to have come from outer space — the diamond, which has 55 facets as well. and either forming chemical vapor disposition
"The Engima." The rare gem was shown off on "The shape of the diamond is based on the Mid- or indeed coming from the meteorites them-
Monday to journalists as part of a tour in Dubai dle-Eastern palm symbol of the Khamsa, which selves," she said.
and Los Angeles before it is due to be auc- stands for strength and it stands for protection," Black diamonds, also known as carbonado, are
tioned off in February in London. she said. Khamsa in Arabic means five. extremely rare, and are found naturally only in
Sotheby's expects the diamond to be sold for "So there's a nice theme of the number five run- Brazil and Central Africa. The cosmic origin the-
at least 5 million British pounds ($6.8 million). The ning throughout the diamond," she added. ory is based on their carbon isotopes and high
auction house plans to accept cryptocurrency Stevens also said the black diamond is likely hydrogen content.q
WORLD NEWS A7 Tuesday 18 January 2022 Typhoons, wildfires, missiles: Teen flies solo round world BRUSSELS (AP) — Avoid ty- since she was 6. At 14, she smoke and I could not see phoon in the Philippines. started flying herself and anything but a burnished Check. about 130 hours of solo orange color," Rutherford Steer clear of massive Cali- flights prepped her for the said. She had to abort her fornia wildfires. Check. record attempt, which she route and make an un- Keep away from test mis- hopes will also have a big- scheduled landing in Red- siles in North Korea. What? ger meaning. ding, California. Wait. With the final touchdown in Over Siberia, the light As teenage pilot Zara Ruth- a plane that looks like a fly played tricks on her vision, erford flew ever onward among the giants parked sometimes casting doubt in a record-challenging at an airport like New York's whether she saw moun- global odyssey, she met JFK, the Belgian-British teen- tains or clouds. "And for little as strange or scary as ager wants to infuse young me clouds are a really big when she tried to squeeze women and girls worldwide deal. Especially in Russia," in between North Korean with the spirit of aviation — with its biting cold. Cutting tire and visa issues added phone in Crete, Greece, airspace and a massive and an enthusiasm for stud- through such clouds, too another two months to the and even there, the weath- cloud threatening to cut off ies in the exact sciences, much ice might build up planned three-month proj- er over the Balkans was so passage for her ultralight mathematics, engineering on her wings, paralyzing ect. The Associated Press awful it delayed her for plane. and technology. control. "At that point your spoke to Rutherford by tele- days. q "Well, they test missiles once Two mathematical statistic plane is no longer a plane," in a while without warning," stands our for her — only 5% she said. Rutherford said. More im- of commercial pilots and That, or any other mishap, portantly, she was just 15 15% of computer scientists could have happened minutes from flying over are women. on a section of the route one of the last places one "The gender gap is huge," where she once saw only should enter uninvited. she said. one village in six hours. So she radioed her control Yet once the canopy "I realized if something goes team to ask if she could cut closed over her cockpit wrong, I'm hours and hours the corner over the isola- and another six- to eight- and hours away from res- tionist communist dictator- hour flight began, lofty cue and it was -35 C (-31 ship to get to Seoul. "Straight thoughts of global out- F) on the ground. And so away they said: 'Whatever reach receded as she con- I thought, actually, I don't you do, do not go into centrated on one lonely know how long I can sur- North Korean airspace!'" individual — herself. vive -35," Rutherford said. Fortunately the clouds co- Using Visual Flight Rules, ba- She didn't have to find out. operated enough and she sically going on sight only, The project would have didn't have to continue danger lurked even closer been tough enough in the crash course in applied than when she would be normal times, but the pan- geopolitics. able to use fancy naviga- demic added another At the age of 19, she is set to tional instruments to lead complication — which indi- land her single-seater Shark her through the night, rectly led to the North Ko- sport aircraft in Kortrijk, Bel- clouds or fog. rean adventure. gium, on Monday, more Crossing northern Califor- Alternative plans to go than 150 days after setting nia from Palo Alto towards over China to Seoul were out to become the young- Seattle, she headed into ditched when the Chinese est woman to circumnavi- the huge wildfires blighting refused permission citing gate the world solo. Ameri- the area. The higher she COVID-19, which, Ruther- can aviator Shaesta Waiz climbed to avoid the smoke ford said, "was slightly frus- was 30 when she set the — up to 10,000 feet — the trating because I'm in the previous benchmark. tougher it was to keep her plane at 6,000 feet (around Flying runs in her blood eyes on the ground. 1,800 meters). I'd be very since both her parents are "The smoke was building up impressed if I could pass on pilots and she has been and up, to the point that COVID like this." traveling in small planes the whole cabin stank of Overall, bad weather, a flat
A8
Tuesday 18 January 2022
Tropic lockdown: My family vacation in quarantine
By Shawna Cohen already paid for flights and “Succession” on my iPad.
Days before Omicron a time-share — more im- Most important, Isaac con-
makes national headlines, portant, we need it for our tinues to be asymptomatic
I book my family of four mental health. I try on old — a huge relief. The follow-
a last-minute getaway to swimsuits and purchase ing morning, my husband
Aruba. Life is returning to the perfect beach read and older son fly home. We
normal; we can finally dine (“Mary Jane” by Jessica are all due to check out of
indoors and the hair salon is Anya Blau). our time-share that day,
no longer considered a Pe- We arrive and have five but the front desk staff are
tri dish of bacteria. The kids blissful days on the beach. reassuring: “Stay as long as
are back in school. Face- Morning walks before you need,” they tell me.
to-face meetings aren’t breakfast. Afternoons play- “We’ll give you a ‘distress
taboo. People are wearing ing football in the warm rate,’ which is the lowest
pants! Caribbean Sea and stroll- rate possible. Can I drop
ing along the shoreline to anything off? Are you hun-
There’s the guilt factor, too. meet friends. Dinners are gry?”
Our kids, ages 16 and 12, always al fresco. My boys Finally, 36 hours after the
have missed so many mile- are off their screens for positive test result, I get a
stones, so much normalcy, hours at a time — no nego- call from Aruba’s depart-
that we’re compensating tiation required. ment of public health.
for lost time. The last time The lovely woman on the
my youngest had a full year Then, on day six, my young- phone asks if we’re OK, tells
of school, he was in Grade er son, Isaac, tests positive me how sorry she is that
4. He’s now in junior high. for COVID. our vacation has been cut
My oldest feels robbed of I’m worried about his health, short. I feel like I’m speak-
his high school years, and ring to COVID, of course. been strong believers in first and foremost, but also ing to a family member.
rightfully so. What if one of us gets sick masks and vaccines since how we’ll get home and She informs me that a “pri-
“It’s too much of a risk,” my there? Is this the responsible day one. Our entire family if we’ll catch it from him. vate concierge” will be in
husband tells me in mid- time to be travelling? Truth has followed the rules. Af- I’m also concerned about touch to arrange reloca-
December, just days be- be told, I’d grappled with ter much deliberation, we where we’ll be required tion, as well as a doctor,
fore departure. He’s refer- the same decision. We’ve decide to go for it. We’ve to quarantine. I’m imagin- but I should reach out if
ing Toronto’s government- there’s anything I need be-
approved quarantine ho- fore then. Because Isaac is
tels of months past, where asymptomatic, our quar-
air travellers were required antine will last for seven
to isolate, to the tune of days rather than 10.
$3,000, while awaiting neg- Moments later, a message
ative COVID test results. from “Private Concierge
Reports were dire: waiting Nicole” pops up on my
up to a full day for ined- WhatsApp. She informs me
ible food, no access to lug- she has a two-bedroom
gage, lack of diapers for apartment available and
children. Some claimed it’s what time would we like
where you’d go to get CO- to be picked up? Is 2 p.m.
VID (outbreaks were com- convenient? The accom-
mon). A New York Times modation and transfer are
reporter likened it to doing included in Aruba Visitors
time at a “Canadian Alca- Insurance, she tells us, then
traz.” sends links to restaurants
Google can’t calm my that deliver in the area. She
nerves. There’s little in- even shares the name of a
formation about where grocery delivery guy. I am
COVID-positive visitors go. slowly falling in love with Ni-
“Guests will be transport- cole.
ed to a designated isola- The phone rings. It’s Dr.
tion location,” reads the Bakker, from MedCare,
Aruba Tourism Authority who asks how Isaac’s feel-
website. Discussion groups ing and just as important,
on TripAdvisor are equally “How are you? No, really,
vague. how are YOU?” I want to lie
The next 24-plus hours are on the couch and tell her
spent in isolation. We order about my childhood. She
in meals and hang out on gives me her number and
the balcony. Things could says to call or text any time.
be worse: I’ve got snacks
and the third season of Continued on Page 9
LOCAL A9 Tuesday 18 January 2022
Tropic lockdown: My family vacation in quarantine
Continued from Page 8 Concerned friends check in, cer- extra two weeks away and I need test positive (antibodies can stay in
tain I’m in COVID jail (a video tour to get back to work. I consult with your system for up to six months).
Later that afternoon, a van comes of our digs alleviates any fear). a couple of doctors to ensure we Again, he’s not sure. I can tell by
to pick us up. A large security guard Dr. Bakker calls to check in. Two won’t be putting other people on his tone he’s as dumbfounded as I
knocks on the door, hands us N95 public-health nurses stop by on our our flight at risk; they assure me am; he’s just doing his job.
masks and plastic gloves, and second-last day with an official let- that Isaac is no longer contagious. Eight long days after returning
takes our suitcases. We follow him ter of recovery for Isaac. A sepa- Our 16-hour travel odyssey begins. home, I receive an email from
and a bellhop down the hallway, rate public health worker drops off We leave for the airport at noon, Switch Health with our COVID re-
as a hotel employee fumigates be- meds (unrelated to COVID) and land in Newark at 10 p.m. and fi- sults. Isaac has tested positive. To-
hind us. It’s a full-on COVID walk of we chat for a while out front. He nally in Buffalo close to midnight. I ronto Public Health sends an auto-
shame. tells me COVID numbers are go- fill out the ArriveCAN app and wait mated text: “We’re asking you to
Our driver, Alan, is friendly and ing up and they’re running out of in line for an express PCR test at the complete an assessment form to
warm. “It’s going to be OK, bud- places to house people; visitors are Buffalo airport because I’m told help slow the spread of COVID.” I
dy,” he tells Isaac more than once. now welcome to stay put at their my negative PCR test from Aruba reluctantly comply, offering details
I thank him for putting his own hotel/time-share/Airbnb so long as won’t cut it at customs. We get to of our quarantine plan. Hours later,
health at risk to drive us to this se- they isolate (insurance covers the the Canadian border and show they call to alert me of Isaac’s posi-
cret location. “We’re all in this to- cost). I tell him how I lucky I feel to our documents, are told to pull tive COVID test; we must discuss a
gether,” he says wistfully. have been placed in this beautiful over to discuss a quarantine plan. quarantine plan! “Isaac first tested
Another WhatsApp comes in. This home and he explains that all gov- A customs agent knocks on the car positive 16 days ago,” I explain. The
time it’s from the property manag- ernment-appointed accommoda- window and tells me to expect a agent sounds genuinely surprised.
er of our new digs. She’s sorry we tions meet this high level of com- call on my cell. I’m confused but “My manager will call you over the
have to meet under these condi- fort and luxury. In fact, he can’t don’t dare ask questions; this man weekend,” she says. This woman is
tions — her daughter just tested understand why someone would is not interested in talking. no doubt one of thousands of tired
positive, so she understands the be “punished,” or treated poorly, Twenty minutes later, a call comes and overworked public-health
stress — but is here to make our for contracting COVID. “We’re all in from Ottawa Public Health. An workers, repeating guidelines from
stay as enjoyable as possible. She, human,” he says, then asks if I need agent tells me the border is short- yesterday that are no longer rele-
too, sends me a thorough list of more groceries or wine. staffed and that he’s “the first line vant, seeming to shrug their shoul-
nearby restaurants and the name of defence.” He asks me dozens of ders at the logic of it all (or lack
of another grocery delivery guy. At How to get home. questions about where we’ll quar- thereof). I don’t blame them but
this point, I feel like I’m either being My only source of stress — and it’s antine, if we’ll have access to food rather the labyrinth of confusing
pranked or perhaps have unknow- a big one — is figuring out how to and medicine. He then tells me rules and quasi-regulations set out
ingly paid for VIP service some- get home. Our week of quaran- the clock has reset: I’m to quar- by the province. It has destroyed
where along my blindly-filling-out- tine is about to end but we cannot antine at home for 14 days, Isaac whatever sense of community we
forms journey. board a plane to Canada until at for 10, upon entry. I ask why, given once had.
least 14 days have passed since that I’ve tested negative and that
We finally arrive at our “designated Isaac tested positive. The CDC, we’ve already spent seven days Here’s what I’ve learned:
isolation location.” meanwhile, has changed U.S. in quarantine (for those keeping In Canada, citizens are made to
It’s not an apartment but rather a quarantine to five days. Following track, that’ll be 21 days total for feel like criminals for travelling. If
spacious and modern two-storey many phone calls and much re- non-COVID me). He laughs at the they contract COVID while home
townhouse in a gated community. search, I find a loophole: fly from absurdity of it all. or abroad, it’s nearly impossible to
There’s a full kitchen, washing ma- Aruba to Buffalo via Newark and Incidentally, newspapers are re- know who to call for clear answers
chine and dryer, Wi-Fi, Netflix. My drive across the border from there. porting that same day that Can- as the rules seem to change ev-
king bed has a firm mattress, crisp If you’re a Canadian citizen, you ada is following CDC guidelines ery day. In Aruba, visitors are con-
white sheets and nearly a dozen cannot be turned away at the bor- and has lowered its quarantine pe- nected to public-health workers,
pillows. Have I mentioned the back der (you may, however, be subject riod to five days. The Ottawa Pub- doctors and nurses who are knowl-
patio with barbecue? I lose Isaac to a $5,000 fine). At the end of the lic Health man admits there’s lots edgeable and eager to help. This
for a few minutes but eventually day, there’s nothing illegal about of confusion within public health little island takes a compassionate
find him in the kitchen, hunched taking this route. about the new rules. Finally, he and common-sense approach to
over a welcome basket of Frito- My other option is to spend an- says that an agent will return to keeping its visitors — and residents
Lays and Snickers. “I’m living my other week in Aruba until the 14 my car with two PCR tests each for — feeling safe. They’ve proven that
best life,” he says, deadpan, and days have passed, but I’m worried Isaac and me, to be self-adminis- in the fight against COVID, human-
disappears to his bedroom to I’ll contract COVID while waiting tered on days 1 and 8. I ask why ity wins. When numbers are down
watch basketball on TV. it out (numbers are rising quickly). they’d waste two covetable tests and it’s once again safe to travel,
The next five days are a breeze. Also, I haven’t budgeted for an on Isaac, given that we know he’ll my family cannot wait to return.q
A10
Tuesday 18 January 2022 local
Tuscany Residence Aruba:
Aruba’s Luxury Residential Resort with unique Water Villas
NOORD — Within walking distance of the fin-
est white beaches and the clear blue ocean,
Tuscany Residence Aruba is founded in one
of the best and most popular neighborhoods
of Aruba, close to the shopping and nightlife
of Palm Beach. Tuscany Residence Aruba
brings luxury living to a new level and they
are very unique in their offerings with the
Daimari Water Villas.
Around 180 exclusive properties will be built in
all different sizes and prices, suitable for every-
one’s wishes and among them are 18 luxury
Water Villas, all with a private terrace and di-
rect access to the pool. The Daimari Water Vil-
las include 2 and 3 bedrooms with wardrobes,
2 and 3.5 bathrooms, are fully furnished with a
fully equipped German kitchen, fully air-condi-
tioned and with wide aluminum sliding door to
the covered pool terraces. Balcony and cov-
ered terraces are offered on the 2 floors unit Residence is a dream comes true.
and a private parking in front of the unit or your Are you looking for a safe, quiet, residential
own garage is all yours. 50% of these amazing We take care of it all area where you will meet a mix of local and for-
houses is already sold! There are still 6 residenc- De Groot adds, “Our project is in continuous eign owners? Do you feel for a warm communi-
es available, including 2 with a one car garage. construction which builds confidence. He con- ty with amenities like wellness, gym, restaurants,
tinues saying that maintenance, property man- pools and this all within a structure where the
Tuscany Residences now offer a special pre- agement, rental program and safety are taken residence takes care of your property manage-
construction discount, whereby your advan- care of. “You can log in from abroad and man- ment while you are not here? Can the highest
tage increases to 9.7%. Pre-construction prices age your property for rental or view your admin- European quality and solid working structure
valid up to November 1st starting at US$ 450,775 istration.” The great thing about Tuscany is that take away your preoccupations while you are
Turn-Key! it offers everything equal to a resort but you do home? Than meet us, we are here to convince
not need to wait for an elevator to bring you up, you with quality!
Dutch design worry about parking space or noisy neighbors.
This luxury residential resort with various types of “We have got space and different size offerings For an impression of Daimari Water Villas have
homes has many amenities such as swimming making this more a community feel rather than a look at the website: https://www.tuscany-
pools, restaurant, bar, offices, meeting rooms, a packed condo building.” He also emphasizes residencearuba.com/en/news. For more in-
gym, wellness and more. The combination of that the location is one of the best on Aruba as formation please contact Bas de Groot by
the beautiful Dutch modern international ar- it is quiet and close to Palm Beach. phone +297-7332424 or email bas@tuscanyresi-
chitecture and the Aruban palm trees creates dencearuba.com. q
a luxurious Aruban feeling and relaxed atmo- Reasons to buy
sphere in this resort. Tuscany Residence Aruba Reasons to consider Aruba property ownership,
is the perfect choice for couples and families. at Tuscany Residence Aruba
Bas de Groot, Managing Director of Tuscany • Excellent price-quality ratio Tuscany Residence Aruba
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tional building, our design distinguishes itself.” • Residential Park with all amenities info@tuscanyresidencearuba.com
At 8 minutes’ walk from Palm Beach, designed • Property land on top-location www.tuscanyresidencearuba.com
in a European style with high-quality materials, • Varies properties in different price range (+297) 280 4664
on property land and with buying possibilities • Onsite Maintenance Team, Property Man- (+297) 733 2424
from condos to townhouses to villas, Tuscany agement & Rental ProgramYou can also read
