SIMPSON BAY — Last week the Nature Foundation received a report of a dead sea turtle on Simpson Bay beach close to the Beacon Hill area. The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) clearly died due to a boat strike in Simpson Bay waters and washed up on shore. The year 2020 started not that long ago and already three green sea turtle lost their life due to boat traffic, whereby the cause of death is a strike with speeding boat engines. “We were very sad to find the dead sea turtle, especially as due to COVID 19 measurements hardly any…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — Member of Parliament Omar E. C. Ottley submitted a proposal asking the Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson and her staff to allow people to shop within their districts. Ottley stated that the proposal is aimed at alleviating the tension surrounding the population’s outcry and unrest as it pertains to access to food, while protecting our citizens and encouraging social distancing. Ottley explained that the intention is to block key entry points for each district, no one in or out for a specific time frame, this will allow persons living in these districts to purchase groceries and…
“On an annual basis our country confronts the hurricane season, some of which have brought disastrous damage to our shores, including Hurricane Irma in 2017. As a result of these super storms, our economic activities come to almost a complete stop for weeks and even months – restricting mobility and business activity for our one pillar tourism economy. And now, we are also experiencing the effects of global pandemics, an additional extreme and direct impact on our social economic way of life.” Challenger continued: “I, like many others in the country, remain very concerned about our future as a nation.…
PHILIPSBURG — As of Thursday April 16th, Government will allow more residents to access grocery stores and supermarkets within their neighborhoods. Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs (NA) announced the easing measure on Easter Monday during a live broadcast. “A complete explanation of the conditions will be given on Tuesday and Wednesday.” Headache from feeling hungry. Children crying for food. Diabetics who cannot maintain their blood sugar levels. After nine days of total lockdown, many people from St. Maarten are distraught. “First the government advises us not to hoard, because there is enough food for everyone, and then, with little warning, closes…
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…
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…
