There is a meme on social media depicting COVID-19 as a tsunami wave while behind that wave is a bigger tsunami wave with the name “Recession”. We think this an appropriate way of how we see things developing right now. Because, as we keep looking past the COVID-19 crisis into the post-pandemic period, we see another crisis and we see something even worst than a recession. We see a depression. So the big question we must ask ourselves is: what can we quickly do to start up income-generating (business) activities to reboot our economy as fast as possible? A recession…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — Minister of Education Drs. Rodolphe Samuel was called out on social media as owner of Marguerita Grocery in Middle Region to deliver free bread to the community in support of those who need food and could not get via the announced order and delivery system. Marguerita Grocery also bakes and sells fresh bread daily when open to the general public. In a discussion with StMaartenNews.com, Samuel pointed out that as minister the supermarket and bakery businesses have been ‘placed at arm’s length’ from his person. Meaning as minister he is no longer involved in the day to day…
PHILIPSBURG — Justice Minister Anna Richardson expressed her thanks this morning to the St. Maarten Medical Center medical team and all first responders. “I want to thank you for your sacrifice,” said the minister, who has designated the nearby Econofood supermarket as a sales location for first responders and medical staff only. The measure has provoked much criticism. The police drove this morning with the minister to St. Maarten Medical Center. Flanked by police chief Carl John and numerous police officers, she addressed the medical personnel who gathered at the gate of the hospital. “I must express that there is…
All over the world this pandemic is showing the inequalities present in communities; social and economic inequalities. It is also exposing governments and leaders and quickly separating the wheat from the chaff. However, with many people focused on their health, their next meal or whether they will be able to keep a roof over their heads we may be missing the big picture exposed by this pandemic. While this is a most difficult moment for almost everyone, we can be sure that this is tame compared to difficulties we will continue to face in the future, whether through pandemics or…
CAY HILL — In keeping the general public of St. Maarten and surrounding islands informed about the hospital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic so far, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) released a 2- minute video today via SMMC’s social media channels. The video documents the mitigating efforts and addition of extra isolation room and ICU bed capacity the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) of SMMC has actioned in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. The video features Dr. Felix Holiday, SMMC’s Medical Director and Chairman of the OMT, who explains the progress made thus far. Preventative measures Since the outbreak of…
PHILIPSBURG – The US government keeps cruise ships out of US controlled waters for at least 100 days, counting from March 14th, when the first No Sail Order was issued. There are still more than 100 cruise ships at sea, with 90.000 crew members. The Centers for Disease Control consider all cruise ships a possible threat to public health, also those deemed virus-free. Yesterday the CDC renewed the No Sail Order and other measures related to operations signed by the CDC director on March 14, 2020, ‘to preserve human life’. The CDC seeks to prevent crew members who are ill…
PHILIPSBURG – The justice ministry does not have a grip on the detention facilities in St. Maarten. “The ministry has not freed up capacity for it and it is functioning badly. That hinders the prison management because the authority over personnel and finances lies with the minister of justice. Due to the ministry’s bad functioning decisions are not taken and important documents go missing.” This is one of the highly critical remarks in a blistering letter from the Progress Committee to Minister Raymond Knops (Home Affair and Kingdom Relations) that accompanies the committee’s 36th report about the situation at the…
PHILIPSBURG – The Progress Committee writes in its 36th report that the situation at the prison still leaves much to be desired – to put it mildly. The report covers the last quarter of 2019, though the committee executed its inspection tour in de last week of January, 2020. A massive initiative is needed to bring about substantial improvements within a reasonable time, the report states, adding, rather ominously: “We do not see those movements yet.” Executing the 2018-2023 detention plan for the prison is a “comprehensive and large project,” the report states, but just two people have to do…
DID THE CFT SET THE KINGDOM ON FIRE?[1] By Emsley D. Tromp April 10, 2020 On April 7th last, when the whole world was battling the coronavirus, the Cft struck a blow to the public trust in its raison d’être with a devastating recommendation to the RMR that was potentially worse than the coronavirus itself. The advice of the Cft was devoid of any compassion or sense of solidarity and showed complete disregard for the scale and ferocity of the corona outbreak. At issue here was the request made by the various countries of the Kingdom on this side of…
By Hilbert Haar Let’s have a closer look at our government’s solidarity initiative of and in particular at the decision to cut the salaries of ministers and members of parliament. Based on a letter from the board financial supervision we know that parliamentarians will give up their 6 percent representation costs as of April 1st as well as their monthly car-allowance of 500 guilders. Representation costs are based on the gross salary parliamentarians receive. They get a monthly payment based on the highest step in the highest salary scale for civil servants – plus 5 percent. The prime minister and…
