Wednesday, May 6, 2020
I tend to get carried away on some topics… …kinda like yesterday. But when I do, please remember that I will always include “Top News and Tidbits”, “Status Updates” and “End Notes” somewhere between 2 to 15 pages down the report. But it’s there, I promise. Today, this will only be one page, Josh. Oops, did I just type that?
Look, this is my spot to vent. These initial paragraphs started solely for the sake of creating an introduction to an informal newsletter. I’ve noted from the reader responses however, that as I embark on these carefree endeavors, I am not alone. Remember those evil spawns from hell that were biting my legs? Well, it just so happens that several other readers had the same problem. That fact made me feel more… …hygenic. It also made me feel more connected to the readers. Sure, my wife still points at me and laughs when I start scratching my arms, but at least now I do so with the assurance that I am not the only one being chomped on and subsequently bullied by their loving spouses. For that reason, and that reason alone, I write these for all of us… …except for Josh.
I did receive comments aplenty from yesterday’s “intro-vent-uction”. One was related to our commander’s speech when he more or less probably said, “every member of the U.S. military has sworn an oath to obey the officers and the president of the United States as the commander in chief appointed over us.” The comment was that “Officers take a different oath that enlisted. They are sworn only to the constitution. Not the president.” I had no idea, as I was not an officer, but I’ve since confirmed this to be true. Thank you, Hunter!
Commissioned Officer’s Oath: I (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
Enlisted Soldier’s Oath: I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
However, we all get our orders through a chain of command that starts with the Commander in Chief. If that commander gives an order which directly contradicts the constitution, then the order should not be followed by neither a dainty officer nor an enlisted grunt. I say “should not be”, because sadly, I cannot say “will not be” as we’ve seen in any number of historical atrocities. Ah yes, I recall my first insubordination. General so-n-so barked at me, “Mikkelson, get me some coffee.” And I solemnly responded, “Sir, I just can’t do that, sir. As per my recollection, that’s a flagrant violation of the constitution.”
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS
PANAMA WILL GRADUALLY LIFT THE DRY LAW FROM FRIDAY
The number of alcoholic beverages that each person may purchase will be limited. The measure had been imposed by the Government to stop COVID-19
The Ministry of Health is concluding the coordination phase with the Ministries of Security and Commerce and Industries, in order to implement the gradual lifting of the sale, distribution and consumption of liquor. The Vice Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, stated that it is important to inform that this new provision will come into effect from next Friday, May 8.
“It will limit the number of alcoholic beverages that each person can acquire, and it will be established that it will be exclusively for domestic consumption,” added the vice minister of Health.
Sucre stressed that all kinds of meetings are prohibited, much less the consumption of liquor on public roads, anywhere in the Republic.
https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200506/panama-levantara-gradualmente-ley-seca-viernes
Brett’s Comments: Oh yeah, you know I’m going to comment on this one! Right about now every man in denial is saying, “I’m not an alcoholic, BUT I am definitely finding a way to get in line this Friday even if I have to dress up like a woman!”. My recommendation would be for everyone to just let this weekend ride itself out. Let everyone ELSE get in that line on Friday, spending their Solidarity Bonuses, knocking each other over to get that last bottle of Jägermeister. I plan on relaxing this weekend as I’ve accomplished a lot already with my work projects. Besides, I’m not an alcoholic. I’ve smartly rationed my Zacapa supply over the past 2 months and still have AT LEAST 415 mL left (whew, that was getting close).
MINSA ANNOUNCES THAT THE HARDWARE STORES IN PANAMA CAN OPERATE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
Minister Rosario Turner announced this Tuesday, in the report on the situation of COVID-19 in the country, that hardware stores in Panama can start their operations from this Wednesday under certain parameters.
As Turner indicated in the first instance, these commercial premises will be able to dispatch their products as of this Wednesday through online sales without having contact with customers. Turner explained that the Ministry of Health (Minsa) developed a guide, which is available on the website, where the criteria for the opening of shops in times of COVID-19 are established. It should be noted that on May 1, President Laurentino Cortizo had announced that this week there would be the reopening of some sectors such as online shopping, hardware stores, spare parts for machinery, which he pointed out are important for the movement of transport, agriculture and the logistics sector.
Brett’s Comments: I tried out the online purchasing with DoIt Center first. I am not a big fan of DoIt Center. I did not like their long lines, ridiculous amount of time they take at the check-out counter and how annoying it was that they’re never supplied with what you need. HOWEVER, I just used their online system and it was excellent (so far). I got in to the system, created an account in a few seconds, placed my order and made my payment all within 5 minutes. I bought a lot, too. They claim that they will deliver within 3-5 days. If they remain true to their word and get me my stuff within 5 days, I’m hooked. I purchased 2 bags of cement, a couple benches, a ladder, pedestal fan and other items. I’m told now that Novey, Rodelag and Discovery Center also have their online systems. I am personally partial to Discovery Center and will probably try their online system which honestly, did not look as well-organized as DoIt Center’s did.
MINSA AUTHORITIES ENSURE PANAMA ACHIEVES THE GOAL OF REDUCING THE SPEED OF COVID-19 CONTACTS
The Minister of Health, Rosario Turner, pointed out that thanks to the support that the Panamanian population has given, in this process it has been possible to achieve one of the goals, to reduce the speed of infections, “but this is a first goal that we have not finished, we’re not ready to go home and celebrate, now we have a second goal which many countries have not accomplished and that goal has brought large amounts of deaths. ”
The head of Health, stressed that regardless of whether we have indicators that allow us at this time to have a level of hope and optimism to return to a new normal, it must be carried out step by step since it is a social construction that depends on society, businessmen, health workers, all Panamanians and the National Government. For his part, Rodrigo De Antonio, an epidemiologist at the Minsa, explained in his presentation that the goal of reducing the speed of infections has been reached, which has allowed us to avoid saturation of intensive care beds, staff and, more importantly, to find therapeutic alternatives that allow to improve the prognosis of our population.
“We are close to an RT of 1 which means that cases will continue to be presented, but these will depend on the measures we can take in physical distance, in identifying the cases, adequate follow-up, which allows us to have a projection pattern slower, ”said the epidemiologist. After 57 days of the detection of the first positive case of coronavirus in Panama, there are a total of 7,523 positive cases of COVID-19, with 136 being the number of new cases,” according to Lourdes Moreno, director of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health. at the daily press conference on the statistical report on COVID19 in Panama.
CSS ENABLES VIDEO CALLS TO RECEIVE CONSULTATIONS FROM PEOPLE WITH HEARING DISABILITIES
Insured persons with hearing disabilities will be able to make consultations through video calls, dialing the telephone lines 6315- 4980 and 6315-9346 at a time of 8:00 a.m. at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. at 12:00 m.d. The measure was taken to provide care to this population in the face of the health emergency that the coronavirus brought with it. The National Director of Customer Service, Mariejane Waugh, indicated that this tool allows the user in real time to receive the information they need through sign language interpreters. In this way, policyholders who live with this sensory disability will have good access to information and the best personalized service possible, explained a statement from this institution.
TRANSPORTATION WORKERS REQUEST GRADUAL REOPENING OF SPARE PARTS CENTERS
The leader of the taxi drivers, Rafael Reyes, asked the National Government to allow the gradual opening of spare parts centers, so that the carriers authorized to circulate have alternatives if a part of the vehicle is damaged. “If today we are providing the service and we run out of batteries, fans, or a tire, how would we do it? We should look for a spare parts center where we can get parts,” he said. In addition, he called the authorities to the total quarantine on weekends, since taxi drivers who have plates finished in odd numbers, can only circulate for two days. “Those who end up in odd numbering, only work two days because they remove Saturdays … we have insisted, but we have had no answers on that,” he said after asking for alternatives to be able to work three days a week.
Brett’s Comments: I did not understand when the government first shut this down, why they didn’t add parts stores or vehicle repair centers as part of the list of essential businesses. They were allowing vehicle transit, taxis, buses, etc. Luckily, I had my own personal mechanic to change my flat tire this last weekend, but there’s no one operating that can repair the flat. I completely agree with the public transportation workers. If the government is allowing hardware stores to sell online, we should at least allow parts stores to do the same and give some other businesses the opportunity to open under strict hygiene conditions.
VICE-MINISTER CARLOS ROGNONI WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PURCHASES OF THE PANAMA SOLIDARIO PLAN
The Government appointed the Vice Minister of Agricultural Development, Carlos Rognoni, as the person responsible for all purchases made in the millionaire Panama Solidarity Plan. In the resolution that designates him, Rognoni is warned that he will be “responsible” for his actions or omissions. Recently, the Vice Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Muñoz, resigned due to the scandal caused by the alleged cost overrun in the purchase of 100 automatic ventilators for $ 5.2 million. The Panama Solidarity Plan started with an initial item of $ 50 million. Carlos Rognoni will be in charge of putting together all the purchase requests, commitment letters and all the documents that are necessary for the effective implementation of said Plan, in the midst of the validity of the national state of emergency.
The resolution also warns Carlos Rognoni that his delegation is not transferable and that it may be revoked by the Minister of Agricultural Development at any time.
CALL FOR ESTABLISHMENTS TO INCREASE PERSONNEL TO ORGANIZE ROWS AND CUSTOMERS TO BE QUICKER WITH THEIR SHOPPING
Due to the large number of people observed in recent days outside supermarkets, Dr. Yaritzel Ríos, Health Director of the San Miguelito Region, recommended that commercial establishments increase the number of staff they have outside so that order is maintained as well as distance in the isles. In addition, he asked the citizens to make the effort to make purchases more quickly, remembering that outside the commercial premises there are other people waiting to buy their food. Yesterday, at a press conference, it was reported that Panama accumulates 7,523 cases and 210 deaths from COVID-19. She recalled that it is the responsibility of the National Police to verify the IDs so that people comply with their departure times. For Ríos, it is also good that inside the supermarkets they are called to make people buy more quickly, because outside many waste their time just waiting to be able to enter and buy the products. She has asked people to collaborate by complying with the measures, or the effort of the authorities of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), trying to counter the deadly virus, will be worth nothing. Meanwhile, she reiterated that people cannot go out without masks and it is vital that they keep at least two meters between each other, respecting social distance, to not touch their faces and wash their hands or use alcohol-based gel.
HOSPITAL SANTO TOMÁS IMPLEMENTS INNOVATIVE VENTILATORY MODALITIES
In the fight against the coronavirus in Panama, the Santo Tomás Hospital (HST) and its medical team have had to adapt to the situation and innovate, putting into practice innovative ventilatory modalities with which they have helped convalescent patients.
One of these modalities is the support with oxygen through a high flow cannula, which allows to provide more oxygen for a longer time, which favors the evolution of the patient, allowing his own body the opportunity to recover, reducing the admission of intensive care patients.
The staff of different disciplines of this hospital such as: doctors, specialists, subspecialists, nurses, nursing technicians, respiratory therapists and other professionals who provide support, technologies and treatments that have been effective internationally in the face of any clinical complication.
“The Santo Tomas hospital has been characterized by a special mystique for treating patients and in some way, through the medical team, nurses manage to carry out many patients despite all the challenges,” explained the HST deputy medical director, Ana Belén. Araúz.
Through a statement, the HST also highlights that on May 5 a doctor specializing in internal medicine was discharged from the HST where he was treated by those who at one time were his students, and long-time coworkers.
“Thanks to the Santo Tomás Hospital, for being a hospital of excellence, for serving our patients with efficiency, professionalism and quality, and for having highly qualified personnel committed to the health of the Panamanian people. Thank you, colleagues, for all your care during my stay in the hospital, ” said the patient in a letter he dedicated to them.
DIGITAL BOND BENEFICIARIES WHO ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THEIR PURCHASES IN PERSON MUST AUTHORIZE A THIRD PARTY IN WRITING
The consumers who are beneficiaries of the digital voucher who cannot physically make their purchases in supermarkets must make a duly signed letter of authorization certifying their health condition and granting a third party to use this system.
Since last week, the first phase of the digital voucher contemplated in the Panama solidarity plan began to govern. Each beneficiary is assigned $ 80 – through their ID number – which can be used to buy food, medicine and cleaning supplies in 13 supermarkets in the country.
The identity document is used as a debit card in stores. For this reason, according to official guidelines, people are asked to benefit and are currently in bed; elderly people with little mobility, hospitalized people who cannot move or people with severe disabilities, who write a letter empowering a third party to use the benefit.
The person authorized to use the digital voucher must present the letter of authorization duly signed by the beneficiary in the boxes of the supermarkets; ID or copy of the beneficiary; ID of the authorized person and an additional document of support (whether it be a medical certificate, a card from the National Secretariat for Disability or a card that shows the beneficiary’s situation).
It is estimated that in this first phase of the digital voucher of the Panama solidarity plan, a total of 84 thousand consumers will benefit. People can enter the page https://wwww.panamasolidario.gob.pa copy the number of their ID to find out if they have received the $ 80 bonus. Supermarkets have indicated that they only accept the digital voucher physically in their stores. “It is a benefit that is not available for home delivery,” they argue.
COMPANIES WILL HAVE TO ADJUST TO BIOSAFETY MEASURES TO OPEN
A protocol homologation and supervision process will be carried out by the Ministry of Health (Minsa), before the gradual reopening of the quarantine; To do so, it published a document yesterday establishing the corresponding parameters for this process. The reopening of companies that have the opportunity to do so, as indicated by the Health authorities, once the quarantine is lifted, will have to be done under biosafety measures. This means, according to Dr.Nadya Porcel, general director of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, that they are measures that can guarantee the health of the population in the face of the pandemic.
In this sense, it was reported that, starting on Friday, May 8, all the companies that are operating under Decree 507 must start the certification processes of the COVID standards, which they must manage in each regional directorate, where the validation process, which will culminate with the certification issued by the General Directorate of Health. These provisions include aspects such as: physical distancing, use of masks, hand washing with soap and water, and provision of antibacterial gel, among others established by MINSA.
“Given these implementations, the businessman Felipe Rodríguez considered that they are necessary, since at the time the company can open, both the work area, as well as the positions and even the staff, will have to be constantly cleaned.
Companies and institutions have had to do without a large part of their workers, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced the economy, not only in Panama, but also in other countries. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cepal), predicts that there will be a worldwide decrease of between -3% and -4%. Economists have recommended that the reopening be done in a phased manner and in up to three phases to avoid crowds. Although its cost has risen, it will have to be used for a long period of time. “
If it was cleaned before, now it will have to be done more frequently, he said. In addition to this, Rodríguez stated that health is a priority in the middle of the Covid-19, but at some point the economic issue must be addressed. In this sense, the companies that open must be aware of the importance of applying these risk management or mitigation protocols in health issues, to really know what is the most important thing to do in your company. He said that the Ministry of Labor is trying to support in this regard and that within the western region a protocol has been implemented to support companies for free, and this can also be of great help to employers.
For Carlos Ernesto González de La Lastra, who is also an entrepreneur, if the Health authorities consider that with these measures there will be no contagions, at the time that the companies reopen, each of the entrepreneurs must begin to have all these protection articles and cleaning. Alienation is another measure that prevents people from becoming infected, so once the reopening occurs, this will also have to be taken into account. According to De La Lastra, employers will have to decide which collaborators may return and who may continue to telework, so that the office is not full and that there is some distance between one collaborator and another.
STATUS UPDATE:
DEATHS IN PANAMA REACH 218 WITH 7,731 CASES OF INFECTION ACCUMULATED BY COVID-19
- 7,731 positive cases
- 208 new cases
- 218 deaths
- 2,678 home isolation (996 hospital hotels)
- 358 are hospitalized (270 in the ward / 88 intensive care)
- 859 recovered by laboratory
- 3,618 clinically recovered
Coronavirus statistics from Day 1:
- Mon, March 9: 1 case
- Tues 10: 8 cases (+7)
- Wed 11: 14 cases (+6)
- Thu 12: 27 cases (+13)
- Fri 13: 36 cases (+9)
- Sat 14:43 cases (+7)
- Sun 15: 55 cases (+12)
- Mon 16: 69 cases (+14)
- Tues 17: 86 cases (+17)
- Wed 18: 109 cases (+23)
- Thu 19: 137 cases (+28)
- Fri 20: 200 cases (+63)
- Sat 21: 245 cases (+45)
- Sun 22: 313 cases (+68)
- Mon 23: 345 cases (+32)
- Tues 24: 443 cases (+98)
- Wed 25: 558 cases (+115)
- Thu 26: 674 cases (+116)
- Fri 27: 786 cases (+112)
- Sat 28: 901 cases (+115)
- Sun 29: 989 cases (+88)
- Mon 30: 1075 cases (+86)
- Tues 31: 1181 cases (+106)
- Wed April 1:1317 cases (+136)
- Thu 2: 1475 cases (+158)
- Fri 3: 1673 cases (+198)
- Sat 4: 1801 cases (+128)
- Sun 5: 1988 cases (+187)
- Mon 6: 2100 cases (+112)
- Tues 7: 2249 cases (+149)
- Wed 8: 2528 cases (+279)
- Thu 9: 2752 cases (+224)
- Fri 10: 2974 cases (+222)
- Sat 11: 3234 cases (+260)
- Sun 12: 3400 cases (+166)
- Mon 13: 3472 cases (+72)
- Tues 14: 3574 cases (+102)
- Wed 15: 3751 cases (+177)
- Thu 16: 4016 cases (+265)
- Fri 17: 4210 cases (+194)
- Sat 18: 4273 cases (+63)
- Sun 19: 4467 cases (+194)
- Mon 20: 4658 cases (+191)
- Tues 21: 4820 cases (+162)
- Wed 22: 4992 cases (+171)
- Thu 23: 5166 cases (+174)
- Fri 24: 5338 cases (+172)
- Sat 25: 5538 cases (+200)
- Sun 26: 5779 cases (+241)
- Mon 27: 6021 cases (+242)
- Tues 28: 6200 cases (+179)
- Wed 29: 6378 cases (+178)
- Thu, 30: 6532 cases (+154)
- Fri, May 1: 6720 cases (+188)
- Sat, May 2: 7090 cases (+370)
- Sun, May 3: 7197 cases (+107)
- Mon, May 4: 7387 cases (+190)
- Tues, May 5: 7523 cases (+136)
- Weds. May 6: 7731 cases (+208)
ENDNOTES
I wrote about this yesterday as well, but feel that this EndNote message is important enough to keep it here for another day. On May 9, 2020, from the luxury of your own home or through a small hole in your street-facing window, you will have the honor to participate, if you wish to do so, in the “Global Big Day Panama”. Basically, it’s a massive program to report all of the different types of birds that you can observe from the confines of your residence. We’ve already passed the preparatory dates, but who needs to prepare?
How does this work? Well, first you need to download the “eBird” app on to your phone. Signing up for it is easy and it’s free. The whole process is free. Once you have the app, then all you have to do is to add all of the birds that you see that particular day. Ah, but what if you don’t know the names of the birds? Well, if you download the other APP, “Merlin Bird ID”, it has an algorithm that will help you to identify the particular bird based on location of sighting, size, color, what it was doing, and presto, it gives you a list of possible birds with a nice photo and it’s given name. Today, I identified a Ruddy Ground Dove using this APP. And now that you know the name, you can add it to eBird.
Here are some of the birds that we’ve already seen and have identified using Merlin Bird ID:
Thanks for playing! 😊
Stay safe… Stay healthy… And by all means STAY HOME!!…
