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IDB reveals report on COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on The Bahamas

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By: Lindsay Thompson

Bahamas Information Services

 

 

#TheBahamas, July 25, 2022 – Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis commissioned a Disaster and Loss Assessment (DaLA) of the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on The Bahamas, which was carried out by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

And, the findings outlined in a report reveal billions of dollars in losses, many job losses and impact to the tourism industry.

The Special Presentation of the report was presented on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at IDB House on East Bay Street.  On hand were the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Wayde Watson, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs; Colin Higgs, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Wellness, and officials of the IDB and ECLAC directly involved in the assessment and compiling the report

“As you are aware, this is a very important report for The Bahamas as it provides lessons from our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Darville told the IDB, ECLAC, and other stakeholders present.

Acknowledging that the pandemic continues to make its presence felt in The Bahamas and countries around the world, Dr. Darvlle however said he was not advocating lockdowns, but that collaboration remains a critical part of the country’s comprehensive response.

“For the world and, no differently, for The Bahamas, COVID-19 shocked health systems and shattered economies,” he said, adding that “In The Bahamas it weighed heavily on a previously challenged educational system, strained our social safety net and slammed the country’s tourism industry.”

The Bahamas’ COVID-19 story from health, social, and financial perspectives allows the country to reflect on, and leverage the lessons learned, Dr. Darville said.

“These lessons will help us to take intentional action now to strengthen preparation and also quicken our mitigation measures to meet and withstand unknown, unseen, and unimaginable threats,” he said.

Even without the DaLA, Dr. Darville said all only need to be socially aware to see the dire situation that plagued The Bahamas.

He said that on coming to office, the Davis Administration took the policy decision to strike a delicate balance between preserving life and safeguarding the economy by implementing innovative strategies to protect the health of the public.

“Our policy must be informed by evidence and this evidence is provided by the DaLA, which was prepared using national data available up to early February 2022,” he said.

The report estimates the total cost of the impacts and effects of COVID-19 on The Bahamas at $9.5 billion, with tens of thousands of job losses and long-lasting effects on the country’s tourism sector.

The report also states that the economy is expected to return to its pre-pandemic level only by 2024, mainly because of the gradual pace of recovery in the tourism sector and the long-lasting effects of COVID-19 in this sector.

“Collaboration on these types of reports allows us to create templates that guide our future responses. It is against this backdrop that I wish to say how grateful I am to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) for their partnership in preparing and producing this DaLA which goes a long way in documenting the COVID-19 pandemic experience in The Bahamas,” Dr Darville said.

He also thanked the IDB for its loan facility of some $65 million in response to the COVID-19 impact on health infrastructure on the Family Islands. “This loan facility is so vital to our healthcare system,” he said.

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS

 BIS Photos/Kristaan Ingraham

 

Header: The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness addressing a Special Presentation of the Disaster and Loss Assessment (DaLA) of the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on The Bahamas, prepared by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).  The event was held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at IDB House on East Bay Street.

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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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