April 27, 2020
Good men through the ages, trying to find the sun
And I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain?
– John Fogerty
One of the many songs on my massive “Honey-Do Playlist”, a bit of Fogerty played through my earbuds as I trudged towards the shed to fetch the mower. Almost two years to the date, I purchased this absolute “beaut” of a machine, the Honda GCV 160. A simple instrument; with a little gas and some 30W oil, all it needed was some Mikkelson motivation and a field of green. Alas, shortly after this glorious purchase, my endeavors for gardening faded as office work suddenly amassed and another man-chore was pushed to the side. There she sat for 1 year, 11 months and 28 days untouched… …until now.
With our gardener on furlough and our yard entering chaos, it was time to return to my teenage years and put the “$10–a–yard” attitude to the test. (Minus the $10.00 of course.) I checked the oil, added some gas and oh the joy of it, with one pull of the cord, she started up instantly. Without hesitation, I guided her forward, hugging the base of the Plantain patch, around the faded swing–set and over to the blooming Veraneras. Nothing slowed us down, no snubs and the motor purred as if she had just been fine-tuned. That once lost Mikkelson motivation was back in full stride, as if it had never left. Yet, something wasn’t quite right. “Why did it suddenly feel cool out?”, I thought to myself. I was no longer squinting and there was a certain scent in the air that I was all too familiar with. A freshness that can only be associated with… Oh no! I looked to the heavens and just as Fogerty’s genius caressed my ears, I could not find the sun. Instead, before me lurked a series of nimbostratus, threatening my afternoon of some well-needed weed whacking. I pushed eagerly in the hopes of beating out the inevitable until I felt that first drop. I looked up again and another streaked my glasses. My son, Brandon had just come to the back to greet me. “Quick Brandon, to the Brett-cave!” He knew I meant the shed and we rushed in search of cover as we heard the dull pounding of the larger drops hit the flat tin roof of the house. With Brandon two steps ahead and me with mower in tow, we made it to the shed only slightly dampened. And there we stood in awe as the rain covered the yard and winds swayed the branches. I could hear Brandon as he took a deep breath and I’m sure we both closed our eyes together to fully appreciate the full effect of mother nature’s gift that Saturday afternoon. I could barely hear him when he exclaimed, “Hey Dad, I think summer’s over.”
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
CORONAVIRUS TESTS ARE DONE ON THE DEPUTIES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
After the deputy Tito Rodríguez was confirmed that he was infected with the new coronavirus on the afternoon of this Monday, April 27, tests are carried out on his colleagues in the National Assembly. Rodríguez, second vice president of the National Assembly, became this Sunday, April 26, the first of the 71 deputies to contract the Covid-19. “I made purchases and went to deliver to people in need of my circuit, and to infected people,” Rodríguez, who is a member of the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement party (Molirena), detailed in a video on his Instagram account. The information from the tests was confirmed by the deputy for Molirena, Corina Cano, who at the time of her interview was unaware at what time the tests had started. Cano indicated that the tests were carried out by officials from the Ministry of Health. It was learned that the tests are carried out in the Chanchore Hall of the National Assembly. The plenary session of the National Assembly was to begin this Monday at 1:00 p.m. However, after 1:25 p.m. there was no quorum.
https://www.prensa.com/politica/efectuan-pruebas-de-coronavirus-a-diputados-de-la-asamblea-nacional/
ASSEMBLY SEPARATES THREE OFFICIALS AND SUSPENDS PAYMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF 7 THOUSAND MASKS
The National Assembly announced that it suspended payment for the purchase of 7,000 masks at a price of $ 2.50, “until the Public Ministry and the Office of the Comptroller of the Republic determine the existence of a crime or an administrative offense.” The Legislative Body indicated that in accordance with the Internal Regulations for the Administration of Human Resources, the Administrative Director, Head of Purchasing and the Quotation Officer, was removed from office for the duration of the investigation. The Assembly stated that: “The act of contracting for the acquisition of the masks, complied with the corresponding administrative procedure, as mandated by law, which was endorsed by the Comptroller General of the Republic. However, in order to comply with the basic principle of transparency that must reign in all public procurement, we have made the determination to initiate an investigation, in order to clarify responsibilities and to clarify the facts that are contained in the file ” For managing the purchase of 7,000 masks for use by the Legislative Branch, the Comptroller General of the Republic, Gerardo Solís sanctioned the three-day suspension of his duties to the entity’s inspector in the National Assembly. He informed that he initiated an ex officio investigation for the alleged crime against the Public Administration, for the purchase of 7 thousand masks for the National Assembly.
CORTIZO ACCEPTS THE RESIGNATION OF THE VICE MINISTER OF THE PRESIDENCY
The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, confirmed this Monday, April 27, that he accepted the resignation of Vice Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz, who had to explain last weekend why they were going to buy 100 respirators at a higher price than the cost of a traditional one. Muñoz last Saturday at the press conference that offers the epidemiological reports explained why efforts were being made to buy fans in international markets. The now-former official said that respirators had become a necessity for the new coronavirus pandemic and that their prices had increased and that it was not easy to acquire them either. Muñoz reported on Saturday afternoon at the health authorities conference that the supplier, Muriba Company Inc., withdrew the offer due to “world demand.”
That Saturday afternoon, the Public Ministry reported that an ex officio investigation began after the complaint of alleged excessive prices in the purchase of ventilators. That opening of the inquiry was for the direct purchase of 100 AHP-300 Ventilators at a cost of $ 48,950 each. The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office announced that the ex officio investigation would be for the alleged commission of the crime against the public administration. Cortizo, for his part, said in a tweet that Muñoz played a fundamental role in guaranteeing the supply of equipment and medical supplies in a correct way under current conditions and world demand. On Monday, December 2, 2019, the Cortizo Government appointed Muñoz as vice minister of the Presidency. Through a statement, it was announced that Juan Antonio Ducruet, who held that position, would focus on projects related to Line 3 of the Panama Metro and Tocumen International Airport. This controversy arose after the digital medium Foco announced that the unit price of this purchase is $ 48,950, when in the market they can be purchased at $ 6,900, this being the most expensive price verified after its investigation. In a statement that was sent the night of this Friday, April 24, the Presidency mentioned that ventilatorsare a commodity with the highest demand worldwide. For this reason, the Presidency argues that a portable ventilatorhas gone from costing $ 6,000 and 10,000 to $ 25,000 and $ 30,000. “Panama asked for a faster delivery time of 10 business days. The company agrees to deliver at those times at a cost of $ 48,950 per ventilator. We are in a time of war that requires these actions, ”says the statement. On the other hand, on the afternoon of Saturday, April 25, it was learned that the National Transparency and Access to Information Authority will request an explanatory report on the possible purchase of one hundred ventilators at a cost of $ 48,000 each.
Brett’s comments: Corruption is probably THE most common aspect of government nowadays. It seems that we see more of it than actual good deeds. The overpriced face masks was certainly some “juega-vivo” looking to make an extra buck selling $0.50 masks at $2.50; 5 x the retail cost! I bought a box of 50 similar quality mask for $25.00 plus tax from one of our common security suppliers. There’s no excuse for this, but if this is handled as most of these cases are handled, nothing will come of it.
As for the ventilators, there is a world-wide bidding contest going on to see who gets their ventilators the cheapest. Basically, whoever makes the first offers, gets the better deals. The USA already made a large purchase and are now producing ventilators inhouse. Panama doesn’t have that option and so it’s understood that their ventilators will probably cost more. The question here is why did they think they needed them in “10 days”? I think it’s unnecessary. Panama has stayed below 100 ICU patients for the last week and today we were at 89 in ICU. The request should be for 100 ventilators at no more than $25,000 each and within 30 days. I don’t think they can get the ventilators at $6,000, but they shouldn’t cost $48,000 either.
MIVIOT WILL TAKE ACTIONS AGAINST PERSONNEL WHO IS INVOLVED IN IRREGULARITIES WITH THE PANAMA SOLIDARITY PLAN
The Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning (Miviot) reported this Sunday that they will take action before any “substantiated complaint”, where employees of that institution are involved, committing irregularities in the distribution of the benefits of the Panama Solidarity Plan.
Recently, “accusations have circulated where they point out Miviot officials related to inadequate situations in the handling of food bonds under the Panama Solidarity plan, for which the entity communicates that administrative measures will be taken against the personnel who are responsible for irregular acts, proven, in the distribution of this social aid, ” said a statement.
The Miviot highlighted that it participates in logistics, provides support with vehicles and volunteer personnel, which captures the beneficiary’s data, assists institutions and community boards in the house-by-house distribution of the solidarity contribution.
Panama Solidarity Plan will have WhatsApp to report possible irregularities
Inés Samudio, head of the entity made it clear “that it will not allow anyone to tarnish with such irregular acts a program so humane that it is responding to families in the 10 indigenous provinces and regions.”
Brett’s Comments: Once again, corruption raises its ugly head during a time of despair. The bottom line is that if you are PRD, you’re getting your bono and your food. This isn’t a loose accusation; this has been going on since the dawn of the political party in Panama (and elsewhere). Very specifically, I have an employee who was passed over because “he wasn’t on their list”. What list? Well, it’s the list that the area Representative puts together. How do you get on this list? “Palanca, nena!”. Contacts, baby!! It’s all about who you know and what you’ve done for those you know. If you’re PRD and campaigned for the party, you’re getting something in return. I have at least two other friends who shouldn’t get them, but did. Since the first bags of food were sent to the poor sections of the interior, we’ve heard how those who were PRD got their food. Once guy wasn’t at home at the time the food was being handed out, but because he was on the list, THEY WAITED FOR HIM! All the while, the neighbors who were NOT on the list got to watch how this guy was favored over them.
CALL FOR GREATER COORDINATION BETWEEN AUTHORITIES TO HANDLE THE SITUATION OF COVID-19 IN INDIGENOUS AREAS
Due to the situation in the Koskuna community in Veracruz, the lawyer Héctor Huertas said that there is concern about the way in which the sanitary actions have been carried out by the authorities of the Ministry of Health. He stated that when restrictions on mobility are to be implemented and that they involve human rights issues, protocols must take into account the cultural relevance of indigenous communities. He adds that the protocols require that at least two officials who are in the sanitary fence speak the indigenous language, and in the particular case of Veracruz, it must be in the Guna language, since 50% of the population is indigenous. To date there are 186 cases of COVID-19 in Veracruz and in the case of Koskuna, there is no coordination between the local authorities and the Health authorities for the identification of people who require medical attention and that is why people go to social networks to present their cases, according to the lawyer. He also referred to the cases that have been growing in the Guna Yala region where there are now 84 cases. He assured that “there is no effective work between the Ministry of Health and the authorities.”
PROPOSALS TO SUPPLY VENTILATORS COME TO TURNER THROUGH WHATSAPP
The Ministry of Health (Minsa) began receiving proposals from companies interested in supplying ventilators to the country since April 25. The head of Health, Rosario Turner, specified yesterday that all the proposals are reaching her through WhatsApp. However, she did not specify how many she had received in the last 24 hours. Last Saturday, at the press conference to update the report on Covid-19, Turner announced that she had received two proposals. Yesterday, she said that the proposals received will be reviewed to see if they meet the requirements. The criticism raised by the intention to buy 100 AHP-300 Ventilators at a cost of $ 5.2 million, from the MuribaCompany Inc., does not stop, despite the fact that the purchase was rejected, after the Vice Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Muñoz reported that the supplier withdrew the offer due to “world demand”. The most recent rejection samples arose from members of the Covid-19 National Committee, made up of 62 specialist and subspecialty doctors. This group of professionals, in addition to requesting that the purchase of portable ventilators be suspended “immediately”, urged the Executive to issue an Executive Decree ordering the formation of an Ad Honorem Scientific Committee made up of five (5) medical and scientific professionals. with related and pertinent specialties, which is in charge of studying and issuing a favorable concept about the viability and purchasing conditions of medical supplies and equipment required to face the Covid-19 pandemic, taking into account guidelines for ONG Transparency International. Yesterday, the Public Ministry asked the Ministry of the Presidency to send the quotes and all the documentation related to the purchase process, as part of the investigation it is carrying out.
POSITIVE CASE OF COVID-19 DETECTED IN THE FEMALE REHABILITATION CENTER
A positive case of COVID-19 was detected in the Women’s Rehabilitation Center (Cefere), reported the Government Ministry.
Through a statement, the entity explained that the Penitentiary System in conjunction with the Ministry of Health (Minsa) proceeded to isolate the woman deprived of liberty, who manifests mild symptoms. In addition, constant monitoring was established in the home where the inmate spent the night and the corresponding investigations of the form of contagion began.
“The relatives of the women deprived of liberty are informed that they can continue to bring them personal hygiene items, disinfectants and dry food, and they must comply with the disinfection regulations when delivering the packages, using masks and passing the temperature control,” he says.
CORTIZO: ‘CONTROL INSTITUTIONS HAVE TO ACT AND NOT HIDE’
The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, expressed in his social networks that “the control institutions have to act and not hide”, this in refernce to the issue of transparency and redress of accounts in the use of public funds. “The transparency and accountability of the use of public funds, in pandemic or in normal times, of elected officials and authorities, of this and other administrations, strengthens democracy, as well as the CERTAINTY OF PUNISHMENT,” said the President in his social networks. In the message to the control institutions, Cortizo mentioned the Comptroller of the Republic, the Attorney General’s Office and the Judicial Branch. These statements by Cortizoarrive at the moment when public questions are given to various State institutions, due to the transparency in the processes of purchasing equipment, goods and hospital supplies, medicines and other goods, services or articles to attend the COVID-19 pandemic. . The most recent controversy arises from the process of acquiring 100 ventilators at $ 48,000 each, which caused the rejection of various sectors and investigations by the Public Ministry. This purchase, which will no longer be made, was handled through the Ministry of the Presidency. The Deputy Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Muñoz, affirmed that they had promised to make the purchase of ventilators for the sum of 48 thousand dollars, but the company reported this Saturday that it will not be able to fulfill the request, “due to world demand” .
https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Cortizo-instituciones-control-actuar-ocultar_0_5565943406.html
STATUS UPDATE:
COVID-19 DEATHS INCREASE TO 167 IN PANAMA, 6,021 CASES IN TOTAL
- 6,021 positive cases
- 242 new cases
- 167 deaths
- 2 new deaths
- 5,044 home insulation
- 266 are in the ward / 89 intensive care)
- 455 recovered by laboratory
- 2,455 clinically recovered
Patients between the ages of 20 to 39 years continue to be the most prone to infection, followed by ages between 40 and 59 years, however, most deaths correspond to those over the age of 60 years.
The regions of Panamá Metro, Panamá Oeste, San Miguelito and Panamá Norte are still the most affected.
END NOTES
I got my boy hooked on a new hobby. We’re making lamps out of “emptied” bottles. I started doing this a while ago when I go my hands on a large oddly-shaped thick-glassed bottle. I had never heard of the ZAYA brand, but I will now never forget it. Some of the best rum I’ve ever had. If you’ve ever tried Zacapa 23, well, this is even better. I wanted to do something creative with the bottle and not simply throw it away. So, after a bit of research, some browsing through Amazon.com, I soon had what I needed to make a few lamps. Since then, I had collected a good amount of bottles from rums, wine and even a little Ice Wine glass. With the drill and the proper glass-cutting drill bit, Brett Jr and I took out to the garage and got to it. After I did the first two bottles, Brett was adamant that he needed to do that and he quite simply took over. The rest I leave for you here in photos:
Brett Jr at work (video)
Stay safe… Stay healthy… And by all means STAY HOME!!…
