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Work & pleasure in Saturday paradise January 8, 2022 T: 582-7800 www.arubatoday.com facebook.com/arubatoday instagram.com/arubatoday Page 10 AArruubbaa’’ss OONNLLYY EEnngglliisshh nneewwssppaappeerr Supreme Court skeptical of Biden's workplace vaccine rule Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Fully vaccinated and mostly JAB OR masked, the Supreme Court's conservative ma- jority appeared skeptical Friday of the Biden admin- JOB istration's authority to im- pose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the na- tion's large employers. The court seemed more open to a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers. The arguments in the two cases come at a time of spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant, and the decision Friday by seven justices to wear masks for the first time while hearing arguments reflected the new phase of the pandemic. An eighth justice, Sonia Sotomayor, a diabetic since childhood, didn't even appear in the court- room, choosing to remain in her office at the court and take part remotely. Two lawyers, representing Ohio and Louisiana, ar- gued by telephone after This artist sketch depicts lawyer Scott Keller standing to argue on behalf of more than two dozen business groups seeking an imme- recent positive COVID-19 diate order from the Supreme Court to halt a Biden administration order to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation's tests, state officials said. large employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Continued on next page Associated Press A2 UP FRONT Saturday 8 January 2022 Continued from Front policies for the first time, But the COVID circum- although the justices have stances did not appear to turned away pleas to block outweigh the views of the state-level mandates. court's six conservatives A conservative majority that the administration concerned about federal overstepped its authority overreach did bring an end in its vaccine-or-testing re- to a federal moratorium on quirement for businesses evictions put in place be- with at least 100 employ- cause of the pandemic. ees. Both the vaccination case "This is something the fed- came to the court on an eral government has never emergency basis, and the done before," Chief Justice court took the unusual step John Roberts said, casting of scheduling arguments doubt on the administra- rather than just ruling on tion's argument that a half- briefs submitted by the par- century established law, ties. Unlike in other cases the Occupational Safety the court hears, a deci- and Health Act, confers sion from the justices could such broad authority. come in weeks if not days. Roberts and Justices Brett Because of the pandemic Kavanaugh and Amy Co- the justices heard the cas- ney Barrett probably hold es in a courtroom closed the key to the outcome in to the public. Only the jus- both cases, as they have tices, lawyers involved in been more receptive to the cases, court staff and state-level vaccine require- journalists were allowed in- ments than the other three side. The public could listen conservative justices. Bar- live, however, a change rett and Kavanaugh also made earlier in the pan- had tough questions for demic when the justices Solicitor General Elizabeth for nearly 19 months heard Prelogar, the administra- cases via telephone. tion's top Supreme Court The court has been asking lawyer. arguing lawyers to have The court's three liberal jus- negative coronavirus tests tices suggested support for and participate remotely the employer rule. Justice if they have positive tests. Elena Kagan said officials Ohio Solicitor General Ben- have shown "quite clearly jamin Flowers, who was ar- that no other policy will guing against the employer prevent sickness and death Brandon Trosclair, a grocery store owner that is challenging the Biden administrations vaccine rule, had tested positive for mandate for large employers, talks to reporters after the Supreme Court heard arguments about to anywhere like the de- COVID-19 after Christmas, whether to allow the administration to enforce a vaccine-or-testing requirement that applies to gree that this one will." And had mild symptoms and large employers and a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers, Friday, Jan. 7, Justice Stephen Breyer said fully recovered, but a test 2022, in Washington. he found it "unbelievable" Associated Press on Sunday required by the that it could be in the "pub- court detected the virus, a lic interest" to put that rule fewer doubts about the the mandate in about half COVID-19 "is the deadliest spokeswoman said. He had on hold. He said that on health care vaccine man- the states. The administra- pandemic in American his- been vaccinated and had Thursday there were some date. Kavanaugh said it tion has said it is taking steps tory and it poses a unique a booster shot. 750,000 new cases in the was a "very unusual situ- to enforce it in the rest. workplace danger." OSHA Louisiana Solicitor General country and that hospitals ation" that hospitals and "I think effectively what is at has estimated that its emer- Elizabeth Murrill who was are full. health care organizations stake is whether these man- gency regulation will save arguing against the health Beginning Monday, unvac- affected by the regulation dates are going to go into 6,500 lives and prevent care workers rule, was also cinated employees in big were "not here complain- effect at all," said Sean Ma- 250,000 hospitalizations arguing remotely "based companies are supposed ing" about the rule but in- rotta, a Washington lawyer over six months. upon the court's protocol," to wear masks at work, un- stead support it. "What are whose clients include the Nearly 207 million Ameri- state Attorney General Jeff less the court blocks en- we to make of that?" he American Hospital Associa- cans, 62.3% of the popula- Landry said. Landry was at forcement. But testing re- asked. tion. The trade group is not tion, are fully vaccinated, the court for Friday's argu- quirements and potential The second regulation is a involved in the Supreme and more than a third of ments. fines for employers don't mandate that would apply Court cases. those have received boost- It was the first time since the kick in until February. to virtually all health care Both vaccine rules would er shots, including the nine court returned to in-person Legal challenges to the staff in the country. It cov- exacerbate labor short- justices. arguments in October that policies from Republican- ers health care providers ages and be costly to busi- Andy Slavitt, a former ad- lawyers were arguing re- led states and business that receive federal Medi- nesses, lawyer Scott Keller viser to the Biden adminis- motely. groups are in their early care or Medicaid funding, argued Friday on behalf of tration on COVID-19, said Justice Neil Gorsuch was stages, but the outcome at potentially affecting 76,000 more than two dozen busi- the vaccine requirements the only justice to remain the high court probably will health care facilities as well ness groups. are extremely effective for unmasked throughout the determine the fate of vac- as home health care pro- Without an immediate or- 15% to 20% of Americans arguments, which lasted cine requirements affect- viders. The rule has medical der from the court, "workers "who don't like to get a shot more than 3 and 1/2 hours. ing more than 80 million and religious exemptions. will quit right away," Keller but they will and don't have He sits between Barrett and people. Decisions by federal ap- said. any strenuous objection." Sotomayor. The court did Roberts, Kavanaugh and peals courts in New Orleans Administration lawyer Pre- The high court is weighing in not explain why Sotomayor Barrett seemed to have and St. Louis have blocked logar told the justices that on administration vaccine didn't take the bench.q U.S. NEWS A3 Saturday 8 January 2022 Hospitalizations skyrocket in kids too young for COVID shots By LINDSEY TANNER and ease," McGuire said in an MIKE STOBBE email. "They are here for AP Medical Writers other issues but happen to Hospitalizations of U.S. chil- have tested positive." dren under 5 with COVID-19 The nation's top infectious- soared in recent weeks to disease expert, Dr. Anthony their highest level since the Fauci, said earlier this week pandemic began, accord- that omicron appears to ing to government data cause less-severe disease released Friday on the only across the board, but that age group not yet eligible the sheer number of in- for the vaccine. fections because of its ex- The worrisome trend in chil- treme contagiousness will dren too young to be vac- mean that many more chil- cinated underscores the dren will get infected, and need for older kids and a certain share of them will adults to get their shots to wind up in the hospital. help protect those around Fauci also said many chil- them, said Dr. Rochelle dren hospitalized with CO- Walensky, director of the VID-19 have other health Centers for Disease Control conditions that make them and Prevention. more susceptible to com- Since mid-December, with plications from the virus. Registered nurse Morgan Flynn works inside a patient's room in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit the highly contagious omi- at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, N.H., Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. That includes obesity, dia- cron variant spreading furi- Associated Press betes and lung disease. ously around the country, She noted that just over the figure reported just two could be partially attrib- Fauci and Walensky have the hospitalization rate in 50% of children ages 12 to weeks ago. utable to how COVID-19 emphasized that one of these youngest kids has 18, and only 16% of those 5 The trend among the very hospitalizations in this age the best ways to protect surged to more than 4 in to 11, are fully vaccinated. youngest kids is being driv- group are defined: a posi- the youngest children is to 100,000 children, up from The overall hospitalization en by high hospitalization tive virus test within 14 days vaccinate everyone else. 2.5 per 100,000. rate among children and rates in five states: Georgia, of hospitalization for any The surge in hospitalizations The rate among children teens is still lower than that Connecticut, Tennessee, reason. only heightens some par- ages 5 to 17 is about 1 per of any other age group. California and Oregon, The severity of illness ents' worries. 100,000, according to the And they account for less with the steepest increases among children during the Emily Hojara and Eli Zilke of CDC data, which is drawn than 5% of average new in Georgia, the CDC said. omicron wave seems lower Sawyer, Michigan, are be- from over 250 hospitals in 14 daily hospital admissions, At a briefing, Walensky said than it was with the delta ing extra protective of their states. according to the CDC. the numbers include chil- variant, said Seattle Chil- daughter Flora, who turns 2 Overall, "pediatric hospital- As of Tuesday, the aver- dren hospitalized because dren's Hospital critical care in May. They limit her con- izations are at their highest age number of under-18 of COVID-19 and those ad- chief Dr. John McGuire. tact with other children, rate compared to any pri- patients admitted to the mitted for other reasons but "Most of the COVID+ kids and no visitors are allowed or point in the pandemic," hospital per day with CO- found to be infected. in the hospital are actually in the house unless masked, Walensky said. VID-19 was 766, double The CDC also said the surge not here for COVID-19 dis- not even grandparents.q White House highlights effort to cover winter heating bills By ASHRAF KHALIL 1981. shutoffs for customers seek- Associated Press The Associated Press ob- ing assistance and to iden- WASHINGTON (AP) — The tained an advance copy tify and notify recipients Biden administration is dis- of the state allocation eligible for government aid. tributing an additional $4.5 breakdown, which shows a The fresh commitments, an- billion in funds to help low- clear prioritization of cold- nounced Friday morning, income Americans cover weather states with higher come from Atlantic City heating costs during a heating costs. For example, Electric, Baltimore Gas and second pandemic winter, Minnesota received nearly Electric, ComEd, Delmarva with cold-weather states $274 million in home energy Power, Pacific Gas & Elec- receiving the largest share, assistance for needy resi- tric, PECO and Pepco. They according to a state-by- dents. Meanwhile, Texas, join seven other major utility state breakdown released which has a population five companies that made simi- Friday. times larger, received just lar pledges late last year. The funding boost — part of $10 million more. New York Electricity and natural gas President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White last year's $1.9 trillion Ameri- state, with a population of prices are roughly 11% House in Washington, Dec. 6, 2021. can Rescue Plan coronavi- less than 20 million people higher than a year ago, Associated Press rus relief package — more compared with Texas' 29 according to the Labor De- than doubled the normal million, received just under partment's consumer price months as wholesale heat- said the overall relief pack- funding level of the Low $876 million. index. Residential heat- ing oil prices are roughly age, which was signed Income Home Energy Assis- President Joe Biden's ing oil prices are up about where they were at the into law by the Demo- tance Program, or LIHEAP. administration also an- 40% from a year ago, ac- start of October. cratic president in March, These funds represent the nounced commitments cording to the Energy In- The aid is meant to help has caused higher levels largest appropriation in a from seven major util- formation Administration. cushion the shock of higher of inflation by pumping single year since the pro- ity companies across the The extent of the increase winter energy costs. But Re- too much money into the gram was established in country to guarantee no has moderated in recent publican lawmakers have economy.q A4 U.S. NEWS Saturday 8 January 2022 Arbery killers get life in prison; no parole for father, son BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — that Greg McMichael gave Three white men convicted Bryan's cellphone video of of murder for chasing and the shooting to an attor- killing Ahmaud Arbery were ney, who leaked it. sentenced to life in prison "He believed it was going Friday, with a judge deny- to exonerate him," the pros- ing any chance of parole ecutor said. for the father and son who The McMichaels' defense armed themselves and initi- attorneys argued that their ated the deadly pursuit of clients deserved the possi- the 25-year-old Black man. bility of parole because the Superior Court Judge Timo- killing was an unplanned, thy Walmsley ordered Greg unintentional act. Bryan's and Travis McMichael to lawyer said he showed re- serve life without parole for morse and cooperated Arbery's fatal shooting and with police, turning over granted their neighbor, the cellphone video of the William "Roddie" Bryan, a shooting to help them get chance to earn parole af- to the truth. ter serving at least 30 years "Mr. Bryan isn't the one in prison. who brought a gun," Kevin "Ahmaud Arbery was hunt- Gough said. "He was un- ed down and shot, and he armed. And I think that re- was killed because individ- flects his intentions." uals here in the courtroom Bryan is 52, raising the Greg McMichael, right, waits for the sentencing of he and his son Travis McMichael, and a neigh- took the law into their own bor, William "Roddie" Bryan in the Glynn County Courthouse, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Brunswick, Ga. chances that he will spend hands," the judge said be- Associated Press the remainder of his life fore sentencing. house steps Friday after- positive thinker with a big "This wasn't a case of mis- in prison even with the Walmsley said Arbery left noon. personality. She told the taken identity or mistaken chance of parole after his home for a jog and "Today your son has made judge her brother had dark fact. They chose to target serving 30 years. ended up running for his life history, because we have skin "that glistened in the my son because they didn't The McMichaels grabbed for five minutes as the men people who are being held sunlight," thick, curly hair want him in their communi- guns and jumped in a pick- chased him in pickup trucks accountable for lynching and an athletic build, fac- ty. They chose to treat him up truck to chase Arbery until they finally cornered a Black man in America!" tors that made him a target differently than other peo- after spotting him running in him. The judge paused for said Benjamin Crump, a for the men who pursued ple who frequently visited their neighborhood on Feb. a minute of silence to help civil attorney representing him. their community," Wanda 23, 2020. Bryan joined the drive home a sense of what the family. "These are the qualities that Cooper-Jones said. "And pursuit in his own truck and that time must have been Murder carries a mandato- made these men assume when they couldn't suffi- recorded cellphone video like for Arbery. ry sentence of life in prison that Ahmaud was a dan- ciently scare or intimidate of Travis McMichael firing "When I thought about this, under Georgia law unless gerous criminal and chase him, they killed him." close-range shotgun blasts I thought from a lot of differ- prosecutors seek the death him with guns drawn. To The judge's sentences into Arbery as he threw ent angles. I kept coming penalty, which they opted me, those qualities reflect matched the recommen- punches and grabbed for back to the terror that must against in this case. The a young man full of life and dation of prosecutor Linda the weapon. have been in the mind of main decision for Walmsley energy who looked like me Dunikoski, who said all de- The killing went largely un- the young man running was whether to grant an and the people I loved," served the mandatory life noticed until two months through Satilla Shores," he eventual chance to earn Jasmine Arbery said. sentence for showing "no later, when the graphic said, mentioning the neigh- parole. Arbery's mother said she empathy for the trapped video was leaked online borhood outside the port During the sentencing suffered a personal, intense and terrified Ahmaud Ar- and touched off a national city of Brunswick where Ar- hearing, Arbery's fam- loss made worse by a trial bery." outcry. The Georgia Bureau bery was killed. ily had asked the judge to where the defense was Contending the McMi- of Investigation took over A few dozen supporters show no lenience. that her son had made chaels still believed they the case from local police cheered Arbery's family as Arbery's sister recalled his bad choices that led to his didn't do anything wrong, and soon arrested all three they exited onto the court- humor, describing him as a death. Dunikoski disclosed Friday men.q Judge Judy funds scholarships at NY law school she attended NEW YORK (AP) — "Judge the school said. ate this spring. Judy" Sheindlin has given a Sheindlin, whose "Judge Women make up 62% of $5 million donation to New Judy" courtroom television the law school's student York Law School, where show ended in Septem- body. she, her daughter and ber after a 25-year run, "We point to (Sheindlin) as granddaughter have at- now hosts "Judy Justice" on a great success story for tended. Amazon. She graduated the law school," said Antho- The donation will fund full from New York Law School ny W. Crowell, dean and tuition and books for 10 in 1965, and her daughter president. "It's a testament Judge Judy Sheindlin arrives at the 46th annual Daytime Emmy women a year, along with Nicole Sheindlin graduated to discipline, hard work, Awards in Pasadena, Calif. on May 5, 2019. a summer employment fel- in 1993. Granddaughter tenacity and what we call Associated Press lowship after their first year, Sarah Rose is set to gradu- New York grit."q WORLD NEWS A5 Saturday 8 January 2022 NATO rules out any halt to expansion, despite Russian demand By LORNE COOK seven years, the fight- BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Sec- ing has killed over 14,000 retary General Jens Stol- people and devastated tenberg on Friday ruled out Ukraine's industrial heart- any halt to the continued land, known as Donbas. expansion of the military Russia denies that it has organization to address fresh plans to attack its Russian security concerns, neighbor, but Putin wants rejecting a key part of Pres- legal guarantees that ident Vladimir Putin's de- would rule out NATO ex- mands for easing tensions pansion and weapons de- with Ukraine. ployments. Moscow says it "We will not compromise on expects answers to its secu- core principles, including rity proposals this month. the right for every nation to Friday's meeting was the decide its own path, includ- first in a flurry of high-level ing what kind of security ar- talks involving NATO, senior rangements it wants to be U.S. and Russian officials a part of," Stoltenberg told and the Organization for reporters in Brussels after an Security and Cooperation extraordinary meeting of in Europe over the next NATO foreign ministers. week. U.S. Secretary of State Ant- French President Emmanu- ony Blinken and his coun- el Macron said Friday that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference after an extraordi- terparts held online talks to it's important to speak with nary meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs via video link at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, prepare for the first meet- Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Russia about its concerns, ing of the NATO-Russia Associated Press and that he will talk again Council in more than two that Putin might order an founding treaty. Under Ar- electronic warfare equip- with Putin "in the coming years. The meeting, set for invasion of Ukraine. ticle 10 of the 1949 Wash- ment and we see a lot of days." Wednesday in Brussels, will NATO would have to agree ington Treaty, the organiza- different military capabili- "Dialogue does not mean give NATO ambassadors to halt all membership tion can invite in any willing ties," he said. giving in," Macron told re- the chance to discuss Pu- plans, not just with Ukraine, European country that can This buildup, combined porters in Paris at an event tin's security proposals with and to end military exercis- contribute to security in the with Russia's security de- to mark the start of France's Russia's envoy face to face. es close to Russia's borders. North Atlantic area, as well mands, and its track re- six-month term at the helm Much contained in the In exchange, Russia would as fulfill the obligations of cord in Ukraine and Geor- of the European Union. documents that Moscow respect the international membership. gia, "sends a message that The NATO-Russia Council has made public — a draft commitments it's signed up Stoltenberg said a Rus- there is a real risk for a new was set up two decades agreement with NATO to on limiting wargames, as sian military buildup near armed conflict in Europe," ago. But NATO ended prac- countries and the offer of a well as end aircraft buzzing Ukraine that sparked wor- Stoltenberg said. tical cooperation with Rus- treaty between Russia and incidents and other low- ries of a possible invasion Russia annexed Ukraine's sia through the NRC in 2014 the United States — ap- level hostilities. has continued. Crimean Peninsula in 2014 after it annexed Crimea. pears to be a non-starter Endorsing such an agree- "We see armored units, we and later backed a sepa- Wednesday's meeting will at the 30-country military ment would require NATO see artillery, we see com- ratist rebellion in the coun- be the first since July 2019. organization, despite fears to reject a key part of its bat ready troops, we see try's east. Over more than q Iran displays missiles amid nuclear talks with world powers DUBAI, United Arab Emir- to limit Iran's nuclear ambi- killed top Iranian general ates (AP) — Iran displayed tions in exchange for lifting Qassem Soleimani in Bagh- three ballistic missiles at an of economic sanctions. dad in 2020. outdoor prayer esplanade American diplomats are The Iranian military mistak- in central Tehran on Friday present at the nuclear talks enly shot down Ukraine as talks in Vienna aimed at in Vienna but they are not International Airlines Flight reviving Tehran's nuclear in direct talks with Iranians. PS752 with two surface-to- deal with world powers The accord collapsed in air missiles after the attacks, flounder. 2018 when then-President killing all 176 people on The missiles — known as Donald Trump unilaterally board. Dezful, Qiam and Zol- withdrew the United States After days of denial, the faghar — have official from the deal and re-im- Guard publicly apologized, ranges of up to 1,000 kilo- posed sanctions on Iran. blaming an air defense op- meters (620 miles) and are A report by Iranian state erator who authorities said already-known models, the television said the missiles mistook the Boeing 737-800 paramilitary Revolutionary on display were the same for an American cruise mis- Guard said. types as those used to strike sile. A man holds an anti-U.S. banner in front of Zolfaghar, top, Dez- ful, bottom, and Qiam, background left, missiles displayed in a Diplomats from countries U.S. bases in Iraq. An Iranian military court in missile capabilities exhibition by the paramilitary Revolutionary that remain in the 2015 The display came on the November held a hearing Guard a day prior to second anniversary of Iran's missile strike nuclear deal — Britain, second anniversary of a for 10 people suspected of on U.S. bases in Iraq in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. France, Germany, Russia ballistic missile attack on having role in downing the Associated Press and China — are working bases housing American Ukrainian airliner. with Tehran to revive the troops in Iraq in retaliation State TV said a commem- victims was held in Tehran's presence of their families as accord, which had sought for the U.S. drone strike that oration ceremony for the main cemetery with the well as officials.q A6 WORLD NEWS Saturday 8 January 2022 Polish leader admits country bought powerful Israeli spyware WARSAW, Poland (AP) — liamentary election cam- Poland's most powerful pol- paign. itician has acknowledged Text messages stolen from that the country bought Brejza's phone were doc- advanced spyware from tored and aired by state- the Israeli surveillance soft- controlled TV in Poland as ware maker NSO Group, part of a smear campaign but denied that it was be- in the heat of the race, ing used to target his politi- which the populist ruling cal opponents. party went on to narrowly Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the win. leader of Poland's ruling Brejza now maintains that conservative party, Law the election was unfair and Justice, said in an in- since the ruling party would terview that the secret ser- have had access to his vices in many countries are campaign's tactical think- using the Pegasus software ing and plans. to combat crime and cor- The hacking revelations ruption. have rocked Poland, draw- Kaczynski said the use of ing comparisons to the such spyware arose in re- 1970s Watergate scandal in sponse to the growing use the United States and elicit- of encryption to mask data ing calls for an investigative in transit, which defeated commission in parliament. earlier monitoring technol- Kaczynski said he saw no ogies. By hacking phones, reason to set up such a Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of Poland's ruling party Law and Justice, speaks at a news confer- it lets authorities monitor ence in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday Oct. 26, 2021. commission, and he de- communications, as well Associated Press nied that the surveillance as real-time conversations published in the Monday ated Press that Citizen Lab, On Thursday, Amnesty In- played any role in the out- where they are not en- edition of weekly magazine a cyber watchdog group ternational independently come of the 2019 election. crypted. Sieci. The wPolityce.pl news at the University of Toron- verified Citizen Lab's finding "There is nothing here, no "It would be bad if the Pol- portal published excerpts to, found that three Polish that Sen. Krzysztof Brejza fact, except the hysteria of ish services did not have on Friday. government critics were was hacked multiple times the opposition. There is no this type of tool," Kaczynski The interview follows exclu- hacked with NSO's Pega- in 2019 when he was run- Pegasus case, no surveil- said in an interview to be sive reports by The Associ- sus. ning the opposition's par- lance," Kaczynski said. q India sends medicines to Afghanistan, wheat to follow By ASHOK SHARMA schools, factories and gov- NEW DELHI (AP) — India ernment ministries. delivered two tons of medi- New Delhi has no diplomat- cines to Afghanistan on ic presence in Kabul after Friday, although it has not evacuating its staff ahead officially recognized its Tal- of the U.S. withdrawal from iban government. Afghanistan in August. It The medicine was given to did, however, meet with a Kabul's Indira Gandhi Hos- Taliban representative in pital, which was set up with Qatar on Aug. 31. Indian assistance in 2004, Before the Taliban took Indian External Affairs Min- Kabul, India provided Af- istry spokesperson Arindam ghan security forces with Bagchi said. operational training and Last month, India supplied military equipment, even Afghanistan with 500,000 though it had no troops on doses of COVID-19 vac- the ground. It also was the cines and 1.6 tons of medi- region's largest provider cal supplies through the of development aid to Af- World Health Organization, ghanistan. Bagchi said in a statement. Archrivals India and Paki- India also announced that stan have both long tried to it will provide 50,000 tons wield influence in Afghani- Afghan health ministry workers unloads boxes of the first shipment of 500,000 doses of the As- of wheat to Afghanistan to stan to meet their security traZeneca coronavirus vaccine made by Serum Institute of India, donated by the Indian gov- ease food shortages there interests. ernment, at the customs area of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is working out details Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. India's leaders fear the of the shipment with Paki- Associated Press Taliban's rise to power will stan's government. Paki- with Indian Prime Minister ready war-devastated Afghanistan's previous gov- benefit Pakistan and feed stan does not allow Indian Narendra Modi's govern- Afghan economy once ernment's budget came a long-simmering insurgen- transport vehicles to use its ment. kept alive by international from the international com- cy in the disputed region land route to Afghanistan Since the chaotic Taliban donations is on the verge munity. That money, now of Kashmir, where militants because of tense relations takeover of Kabul, an al- of collapse. Nearly 80% of cut off, financed hospitals, already have a foothold.q WORLD NEWS A7 Saturday 8 January 2022 Orthodox Christians observe Christmas amid virus concerns By JIM HEINTZ in one day since the start of Associated Press the pandemic. MOSCOW (AP) — Orthodox Health measures in Serbia Christians in Russia, Serbia include mandatory face and other countries ob- mask use indoors and and served Christmas on Friday limits on gatherings, but amid restrictions aimed at the rules have not been dampening the spread of fully respected. Vaccina- the coronavirus, but few tion passes are required for worshipers appeared con- bars, restaurants and clubs cerned as they streamed in the evening but not for into churches on Christmas churches or other indoor Eve. venues. The majority of Orthodox In his Christmas message, believers celebrate Christ- Serbian Orthodox Church mas on Jan. 7, with mid- Patriarch Porfirije singled night services especially out medical personnel for popular. The churches in their work during the pub- Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus lic health crisis and said, "I and Greece mark the Na- pray for the sick to get well tivity of Jesus on Dec. 25 as soon as possible and for along with other Christian the disease that has at- denominations. tacked the world to pass." The Russian Orthodox "The Church therefore calls Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill delivers the Christmas Liturgy in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral Church, the largest Ortho- in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. during the pandemic for dox congregation, said Associated Press the respect of reasonable celebrants needed to wear masks or had them pulled concern is strong that the for the traditional burning measures and recommen- masks and observe social down to their chins as they highly contagious omicron of dried oak branches that dations of governments distancing at Christmas ser- watched the pageantry. variant may be getting a symbolize the Yule log. The and other authorities in the vices. At Moscow's huge Russian President Vladimir foothold in the country. church also scheduled a states and regions in which Christ The Savior Cathedral, Putin, also without a mask, Health Minister Mikhail Mu- midnight Christmas Eve lit- our people live, but also re- church leader Patriarch attended a service at the rashko said Thursday that urgy. minds everyone to avoid Kirill and other gold-robed Church of the Image of officials have detected No specific anti-virus mea- exclusion and for respect priests chanted prayers the Saviour Made Without omicron infections in peo- sures were announced for of human freedom as the and waved smoking con- Hands in Novo-Ogaryovo, ple who had not traveled Serbia's religious ceremo- highest and most valuable tainers of incense during a outside Moscow. outside Russia. nies despite a huge rise in God's gift to men," Porfirije midnight service. Russia's daily tally of new In Serbia's capital, Bel- infections apparently fu- added. A live broadcast of the COVID-19 cases has grade, hundreds of wor- eled by the omicron vari- In Kazakhstan, the siz- service indicated about dropped by about half in shipers gathered outside ant. Serbia on Thursday able Orthodox community half of the worshippers in the last month, to about St. Sava Temple, the largest reported more than 9,000 could not observe Christ- attendance were without 15,000 on Thursday. But Serbian Orthodox church, new daily cases, the most mas in churches. q Ethiopia grants amnesty to high-profile political detainees NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — they would not advance make the upcoming na- Ethiopia's government further there. tional dialogue successful on Friday announced an The war in Africa's second and inclusive." Ethiopian amnesty for some of the most populous country lawmakers on Dec. 29 ap- country's most high-profile has highlighted the dead- proved a bill to establish a political detainees, includ- ly ethnic tensions posing commission for national di- ing opposition figure Jawar the greatest challenge to alogue amid international Mohammed and senior Abiy's rule. pressure for negotiations to Tigray party officials, as Ethiopia's state broadcast- end the war. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed er, EBC, named both Jawar The state broadcaster also spoke of reconciliation for and opposition figure Es- named several senior of- Orthodox Christmas. kinder Nega, who were ficials with Tigray's ruling "The key to lasting unity is detained in July 2020 fol- Tigray People's Liberation dialogue," the government lowing deadly unrest over Front party as being grant- said in a statement on the killing of popular ethnic ed amnesty and said they the amnesty. "Ethiopia will Oromo artist Hachalu Hun- will be released soon. They Oromos protest against the government and call for the release make any sacrifices to this dessa, as those granted include Sebhat Nega, Ki- of prominent opposition figure Jawar Mohammed and others, end." amnesty. Eskinder, leader dusan Nega, Abay Woldu, seen on placards, during the annual Irreecha festival in the It was the most dramatic of the Balderas party, left a capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Oct. 2, 2021. Abadi Zemu, Mulu Gebreg- move yet by the govern- detention center on Friday Associated Press ziabher and Kiros Hagos. ment after the country's evening. the order for their release for their release came now. They were arrested in late deadly Tigray war entered But Tuli Bayis, a lawyer for came late in the day. "We heard it is an amnesty, 2020 when government a new phase in late De- Jawar of the Oromo Fed- "They have security risks, so that's what we know for forces captured most of cember, when Tigray forces eralist Congress party and they preferred to exit the now." the Tigray region shortly af- retreated into their region others, told The Associated correction facility in day- Ethiopia's ministry of justice ter war erupted between amid a military offensive Press that they refused to time," Tuli said, adding he said the amnesty for Jawar Tigray forces and Ethiopian and Ethiopian forces said leave the prison facility as was not sure why the order and Nega was granted "to ones.q a8 local Saturday 8 January 2022 COVID-19 Status on Aruba ‘Your Point of View’ ORANJESTAD – Rules and protocols are • Entertainment: Max 5 musicians on ORANJESTAD — Aruba Today encourages you to share being reviewed and evaluated on a daily stage. your opinion with our readers through our newest basis and adapted as per current situation • Gathering Ban: Max. 6 people. column ‘Your Point of view’. by a crisis team, in order to protect each • Shopping: 1 person per family and every one visiting and residing our is- ** Businesses are allowed to lit their pagara Was there a certain situation that you think might have land. until 12:00pm on Deccember 31, 2021. been handled differently? Or perhaps a really nice ** Nightlife will be able to stay open un- experience you went through? Maybe you want to Covid Status: til 1:00am on New Year’s day instead of just let our readers know how your overall experience There are currently 4.755 active cases. 12:00 am. was on the island while vacationing here despite the 4.122 are residents and 633 non-residents. crisis. Let’s exchange ideas and experiences related 181 deceased. The following measures remain applica- to Aruba. There are 24 persons hospitalized in Aruba ble: of which 3 are in the ICU. Due to lack of • Masks: Use of masks is mandatory in- Send us ‘Your Point of View’ with your name and where staff at the hospital they have to send side at all establishments. you are from to [email protected]. patients over to Colombia for treatment. • Alcohol: Ban of alcohol on public PS. Article will be screened prior to publication. No There are currently 3 persons at the ICU in roads: 24 hours. defamation of people or businesses will be allowed. Colombia. • Social Distancing: Continue maintain- Only constructive criticism/feedback. ing social distance. Vaccination Status: For today we received a letter form a reader from A total of 84,191 of the total population has New isolation and quarantine guidelines Pennsylvania. been vaccinated of which 78,627 persons The Crisis Team, after thorough consider- She wrote: received both shots of the vaccine and ation of the different advice and analysis, 5,564 received only the first shot. Children has changed the isolation and quarantine We were scheduled to arrive in Aruba today (Friday, as young as 12 years are being vaccinat- guidelines. Once a person gets a positive January 7th and depart on Friday, January 14th). ed. For the senior population of 60 years SARS-CoV-2 test result, the person should We followed the covid guidelines and were tested and older a total of 21,794 received both isolate for five days and avoid contact on Wed. January 5th at 8am exactly 48 hours before shots and 995 received only the first shot. with others in the household. The five days departure. Aruba is administering booster shots to of isolation start on the date the person re- persons 40 and older. As seen around the ceived the positive test result. Here it is 50 hours later from testing and still no results world, the booster shot provides that extra If after five days in isolation you still have which meant we were not allowed to fly to Aruba as layer of protection against the Delta vari- symptoms, you must continue to isolate scheduled on Friday, Jan 7th. ant as well as the Omicron variant, reduc- until you no longer have symptoms. After ing the possible effects when infected with 24 hours without any symptoms, the person Our Flight from Newark New Jersey was scheduled to either variant. Persons 40 years and older should complete the form sent by email. take off at 8am. Meaning our test results needed to can now walk-in at the Centro Deportivo Those living in the same house as the per- be uploaded by 4am. Since we live a distance from Betico Croes in Santa Cruz, from Monday son who tested positive should quarantine the airport we were going to spend the night in New to Friday from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm for their for 5 days, starting on the day they had Jersey to be at the airport on time for our flight. booster vaccine. You do not need an ap- immediate contact with the person who pointment for the Booster Shot. tested positive and should wear masks at We know since the New Year there has been a huge all times. The person who tested positive surge in covid cases and millions of people are being The measures are as follows as of Decem- must inform others living in the same home tested. Which delayed our travel test even though we ber 30, 2021 about the positive test result. The isolation are healthy and do not have covid. • Curfew: NO Curfew and quarantine protocols are included in • Closing Time: 12:00 am for all business the email sent to anyone who tests posi- After much consideration we decided at the very for the exception of Casino’s which tive. Please be aware that the DVG will no last minute to postpone our trip since no test results can stay open till 1:00 am longer contact those who tested positive were available. After many many hours on the phone • Restaurants: Max. 6 people per table. or anyone living in the same household. with the resort and Expedia we were finally able to • Social Activities and Sports: Max. peo- The DVG urges those who tested positive reschedule for a later date and thank god we didn’t ple: 60 indoors, 75 outdoors. to complete the form that sent by email have to pay any additional money to do this. We • Funerals: Max. people: 75 (if the space and to provide information about every- did take out the travel insurance just in case, but is adequately large enough) one living in the same home that needs to this process was stressful and very frustrating not to • Area Ban 7:00 pm - 5:00 am quarantine.q mention having to rearrange our vacation schedules • Nightlife: Dancing is not permitted with our employers. We are very pleased that Aruba is aware of the pandemic and wants to keep your island Happy and Healthy. But for folks like us that spent a lot of money that want to vacation there, the covid requirements of 2 days if making it very difficult to travel and get our results back in time. Frustration and stress added to the mix makes it very hard to plan. We are very much looking forward to visiting Aruba late in February if everything works out like it is supposed this time. Thank you so much for your time and listening to our complaint and hoping the pandemic will be better in the future to make it easier for people to vacation without extra added stress.q LOCAL A9 Saturday 8 January 2022 Covid Test Center at Paseo has the best experience! PALM BEACH - Don’t spend we are aware it is impera- the Paseo Herencia Mall, a single moment of your tive that this shows accu- home of the water and long awaited holiday in rately on the results. For a lights show in the evenings. Aruba thinking about your seamless process, please By the time you are back return testing. The Covid verify that you have pro- at the hotel, your results will Test Center Aruba located vided the correct email to be ready in your inbox. at the Paseo Herencia Mall deliver the certificate. Said is your travel ally. Just sit certificate can be printed A PCR test costs $75 and re- back and relax knowing at our offices should you sults are ready the next day, that, when the time comes, wish to do so. while Antigen test costs $35 their professional staff will with same day results. If you make this process a breeze We understand that no- are staying at an off-high- for you. No need to make body enjoys doing a nasal rise area property, you can an appointment or dread swab. That is why we take benefit from the free park- the nasal swab; you’ll be pride in our reputation of ing our customers receive done with it in a matter of being the gentlest swab- at the mall lot.). minutes and back to fun bers on the island. First, we stuff. will not rush you just to go For more information follow to the next in line. Through us on Facebook, Instagram Some regions require proof clear given instructions we or Twitter.q or certification of negative the Paseo Herencia Mall want you to feel comfort- COVID-19 status before al- in the heart of the Palm able. When you are ready, lowing people into or out of Beach Strip and right across we will promptly but ten- the country. With rules and from the Playa Linda and derly take a proper sam- guidelines varying greatly Holiday Inn hotels; only two ple. Many elsewhere trau- from country to country, doors from T.G.I. Friday’s. matized people praise the the safest approach is to We are open seven days a difference it makes to test have recent proof you are week, between 9 am and with us. COVID-19 negative before 9 pm. This gives you the you get to the airport. Co- choice to walk in when it Forget about counting vid Test Center @ Paseo better suits you. It can be hours before your flight, our provides both PCR and An- at the start or at the end of turnaround is fast! For travel tigen type testing with re- your day. No appointment to the US, for example, a sults within hours; and both needed here. day before will suffice. A are accepted by the CDC. great game plan is to test The friendly technicians at first, then head out for an Covid Test Center @ Paseo Covid Test Center @ Paseo evening of dining, shop- is conveniently located at will take your information as ping and entertainment at A10 locAl Saturday 8 January 2022 Blue Residences: Work & pleasure in paradise EAGLE BEACH — Dreaming taurant, landscaped sun- of your own private Carib- deck, fitness center, full bean sanctuary is a reality service spa and concierge now. Allow us to define this: service. Blue Residences offers you The project has three tow- a condo or penthouse with ers which contains 60 two- top notch amenities equal bedroom, two-bath units; to the offerings of high- 32 three-bedroom, three- class resorts facing the bath units; 8 one bedroom, Caribbean Sea, the white- one bathroom unit; 4 four- powdered sands of Eagle bedroom, four-bath duplex Beach. According to the townhouses; 2 five-bed- Travelers Choice Beaches room, five-and-a-half-bath Award, it is one of the top duplex townhouses; 12 25 beaches in the world. three-bedroom, four-bath And if you don’t believe duplex penthouses; and 6 them, you can always read five-bedroom, five-and-a- the thousands of positive half-bath duplex penthous- reviews on TripAdvisor. es. Blue Residences is situated Penthouse perfection in front of The Bubali Plas This is an once-in-a-life- bird sanctuary and one of time opportunity to be the the biggest reservoirs on owner of one of the hottest the island. It’s also within spots in the Caribbean and walking distance to Palm own an amazing, upscale Beach, home of the high- penthouse. There are two rise luxury hotels. The loca- levels of 180 degrees of tion is unequalled on the is- spectacular, ocean-view- land with a variety of water ing pleasure and amazing sports concessions, casinos, daily sunsets await you! restaurants, bars and shops Porcelain tiles, Italian-de- just a leisurely stroll away. signed kitchens, stainless The onsite amenities in- steel appliances (stove, clude pools, hot tub, res- refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave), washer zation with an impeccable Office is set for you and dryer machines and reputation who even ar- Did you know Aruba has assigned parking space is range your short-term and the best internet connec- what you get for a great long-term rentals if you are tion in the whole of the Ca- offer. Take this chance to looking for a return on your ribbean? buy your dream and be investment. Did you also know that the part of a builder’s organi- island is actually designed for working remotely? All the facilities you need are ready for you, there are even special “workation packages” available. Yes. The office at Blue Resi- dences is just right for you. With windows all around you for viewing the blue skies and turquoise waters as decoration for an en- ergized, productive day is set. If you want to rent or buy and live the Blue Residenc- es experience please email Jaime Gomez at jgomez@ azure-aruba.com or visit www.bluearuba.com. The sales office is open from Monday to Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. Go see the amazing view. q

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Work & pleasure in Saturday paradise January 8, 2022 T: 582-7800 www.arubatoday.com facebook.com/arubatoday instagram.com/arubatoday Page 10 AArruubbaa’’ss OONNLLYY EEnngglliisshh nneewwssppaappeerr Supreme Court skeptical of Biden's workplace vaccine rule Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Fully vaccinated and mostly JAB OR masked, the Supreme Court's conservative ma- jority appeared skeptical Friday of the Biden admin- JOB istration's authority to im- pose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the na- tion's large employers. The court seemed more open to a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers. The arguments in the two cases come at a time of spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant, and the decision Friday by seven justices to wear masks for the first time while hearing arguments reflected the new phase of the pandemic. An eighth justice, Sonia Sotomayor, a diabetic since childhood, didn't even appear in the court- room, choosing to remain in her office at the court and take part remotely. Two lawyers, representing Ohio and Louisiana, ar- gued by telephone after This artist sketch depicts lawyer Scott Keller standing to argue on behalf of more than two dozen business groups seeking an imme- recent positive COVID-19 diate order from the Supreme Court to halt a Biden administration order to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation's tests, state officials said. large employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Continued on next page Associated Press A2 UP FRONT Saturday 8 January 2022 Continued from Front policies for the first time, But the COVID circum- although the justices have stances did not appear to turned away pleas to block outweigh the views of the state-level mandates. court's six conservatives A conservative majority that the administration concerned about federal overstepped its authority overreach did bring an end in its vaccine-or-testing re- to a federal moratorium on quirement for businesses evictions put in place be- with at least 100 employ- cause of the pandemic. ees. Both the vaccination case "This is something the fed- came to the court on an eral government has never emergency basis, and the done before," Chief Justice court took the unusual step John Roberts said, casting of scheduling arguments doubt on the administra- rather than just ruling on tion's argument that a half- briefs submitted by the par- century established law, ties. Unlike in other cases the Occupational Safety the court hears, a deci- and Health Act, confers sion from the justices could such broad authority. come in weeks if not days. Roberts and Justices Brett Because of the pandemic Kavanaugh and Amy Co- the justices heard the cas- ney Barrett probably hold es in a courtroom closed the key to the outcome in to the public. Only the jus- both cases, as they have tices, lawyers involved in been more receptive to the cases, court staff and state-level vaccine require- journalists were allowed in- ments than the other three side. The public could listen conservative justices. Bar- live, however, a change rett and Kavanaugh also made earlier in the pan- had tough questions for demic when the justices Solicitor General Elizabeth for nearly 19 months heard Prelogar, the administra- cases via telephone. tion's top Supreme Court The court has been asking lawyer. arguing lawyers to have The court's three liberal jus- negative coronavirus tests tices suggested support for and participate remotely the employer rule. Justice if they have positive tests. Elena Kagan said officials Ohio Solicitor General Ben- have shown "quite clearly jamin Flowers, who was ar- that no other policy will guing against the employer prevent sickness and death Brandon Trosclair, a grocery store owner that is challenging the Biden administrations vaccine rule, had tested positive for mandate for large employers, talks to reporters after the Supreme Court heard arguments about to anywhere like the de- COVID-19 after Christmas, whether to allow the administration to enforce a vaccine-or-testing requirement that applies to gree that this one will." And had mild symptoms and large employers and a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers, Friday, Jan. 7, Justice Stephen Breyer said fully recovered, but a test 2022, in Washington. he found it "unbelievable" Associated Press on Sunday required by the that it could be in the "pub- court detected the virus, a lic interest" to put that rule fewer doubts about the the mandate in about half COVID-19 "is the deadliest spokeswoman said. He had on hold. He said that on health care vaccine man- the states. The administra- pandemic in American his- been vaccinated and had Thursday there were some date. Kavanaugh said it tion has said it is taking steps tory and it poses a unique a booster shot. 750,000 new cases in the was a "very unusual situ- to enforce it in the rest. workplace danger." OSHA Louisiana Solicitor General country and that hospitals ation" that hospitals and "I think effectively what is at has estimated that its emer- Elizabeth Murrill who was are full. health care organizations stake is whether these man- gency regulation will save arguing against the health Beginning Monday, unvac- affected by the regulation dates are going to go into 6,500 lives and prevent care workers rule, was also cinated employees in big were "not here complain- effect at all," said Sean Ma- 250,000 hospitalizations arguing remotely "based companies are supposed ing" about the rule but in- rotta, a Washington lawyer over six months. upon the court's protocol," to wear masks at work, un- stead support it. "What are whose clients include the Nearly 207 million Ameri- state Attorney General Jeff less the court blocks en- we to make of that?" he American Hospital Associa- cans, 62.3% of the popula- Landry said. Landry was at forcement. But testing re- asked. tion. The trade group is not tion, are fully vaccinated, the court for Friday's argu- quirements and potential The second regulation is a involved in the Supreme and more than a third of ments. fines for employers don't mandate that would apply Court cases. those have received boost- It was the first time since the kick in until February. to virtually all health care Both vaccine rules would er shots, including the nine court returned to in-person Legal challenges to the staff in the country. It cov- exacerbate labor short- justices. arguments in October that policies from Republican- ers health care providers ages and be costly to busi- Andy Slavitt, a former ad- lawyers were arguing re- led states and business that receive federal Medi- nesses, lawyer Scott Keller viser to the Biden adminis- motely. groups are in their early care or Medicaid funding, argued Friday on behalf of tration on COVID-19, said Justice Neil Gorsuch was stages, but the outcome at potentially affecting 76,000 more than two dozen busi- the vaccine requirements the only justice to remain the high court probably will health care facilities as well ness groups. are extremely effective for unmasked throughout the determine the fate of vac- as home health care pro- Without an immediate or- 15% to 20% of Americans arguments, which lasted cine requirements affect- viders. The rule has medical der from the court, "workers "who don't like to get a shot more than 3 and 1/2 hours. ing more than 80 million and religious exemptions. will quit right away," Keller but they will and don't have He sits between Barrett and people. Decisions by federal ap- said. any strenuous objection." Sotomayor. The court did Roberts, Kavanaugh and peals courts in New Orleans Administration lawyer Pre- The high court is weighing in not explain why Sotomayor Barrett seemed to have and St. Louis have blocked logar told the justices that on administration vaccine didn't take the bench.q U.S. NEWS A3 Saturday 8 January 2022 Hospitalizations skyrocket in kids too young for COVID shots By LINDSEY TANNER and ease," McGuire said in an MIKE STOBBE email. "They are here for AP Medical Writers other issues but happen to Hospitalizations of U.S. chil- have tested positive." dren under 5 with COVID-19 The nation's top infectious- soared in recent weeks to disease expert, Dr. Anthony their highest level since the Fauci, said earlier this week pandemic began, accord- that omicron appears to ing to government data cause less-severe disease released Friday on the only across the board, but that age group not yet eligible the sheer number of in- for the vaccine. fections because of its ex- The worrisome trend in chil- treme contagiousness will dren too young to be vac- mean that many more chil- cinated underscores the dren will get infected, and need for older kids and a certain share of them will adults to get their shots to wind up in the hospital. help protect those around Fauci also said many chil- them, said Dr. Rochelle dren hospitalized with CO- Walensky, director of the VID-19 have other health Centers for Disease Control conditions that make them and Prevention. more susceptible to com- Since mid-December, with plications from the virus. Registered nurse Morgan Flynn works inside a patient's room in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit the highly contagious omi- at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, N.H., Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. That includes obesity, dia- cron variant spreading furi- Associated Press betes and lung disease. ously around the country, She noted that just over the figure reported just two could be partially attrib- Fauci and Walensky have the hospitalization rate in 50% of children ages 12 to weeks ago. utable to how COVID-19 emphasized that one of these youngest kids has 18, and only 16% of those 5 The trend among the very hospitalizations in this age the best ways to protect surged to more than 4 in to 11, are fully vaccinated. youngest kids is being driv- group are defined: a posi- the youngest children is to 100,000 children, up from The overall hospitalization en by high hospitalization tive virus test within 14 days vaccinate everyone else. 2.5 per 100,000. rate among children and rates in five states: Georgia, of hospitalization for any The surge in hospitalizations The rate among children teens is still lower than that Connecticut, Tennessee, reason. only heightens some par- ages 5 to 17 is about 1 per of any other age group. California and Oregon, The severity of illness ents' worries. 100,000, according to the And they account for less with the steepest increases among children during the Emily Hojara and Eli Zilke of CDC data, which is drawn than 5% of average new in Georgia, the CDC said. omicron wave seems lower Sawyer, Michigan, are be- from over 250 hospitals in 14 daily hospital admissions, At a briefing, Walensky said than it was with the delta ing extra protective of their states. according to the CDC. the numbers include chil- variant, said Seattle Chil- daughter Flora, who turns 2 Overall, "pediatric hospital- As of Tuesday, the aver- dren hospitalized because dren's Hospital critical care in May. They limit her con- izations are at their highest age number of under-18 of COVID-19 and those ad- chief Dr. John McGuire. tact with other children, rate compared to any pri- patients admitted to the mitted for other reasons but "Most of the COVID+ kids and no visitors are allowed or point in the pandemic," hospital per day with CO- found to be infected. in the hospital are actually in the house unless masked, Walensky said. VID-19 was 766, double The CDC also said the surge not here for COVID-19 dis- not even grandparents.q White House highlights effort to cover winter heating bills By ASHRAF KHALIL 1981. shutoffs for customers seek- Associated Press The Associated Press ob- ing assistance and to iden- WASHINGTON (AP) — The tained an advance copy tify and notify recipients Biden administration is dis- of the state allocation eligible for government aid. tributing an additional $4.5 breakdown, which shows a The fresh commitments, an- billion in funds to help low- clear prioritization of cold- nounced Friday morning, income Americans cover weather states with higher come from Atlantic City heating costs during a heating costs. For example, Electric, Baltimore Gas and second pandemic winter, Minnesota received nearly Electric, ComEd, Delmarva with cold-weather states $274 million in home energy Power, Pacific Gas & Elec- receiving the largest share, assistance for needy resi- tric, PECO and Pepco. They according to a state-by- dents. Meanwhile, Texas, join seven other major utility state breakdown released which has a population five companies that made simi- Friday. times larger, received just lar pledges late last year. The funding boost — part of $10 million more. New York Electricity and natural gas President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White last year's $1.9 trillion Ameri- state, with a population of prices are roughly 11% House in Washington, Dec. 6, 2021. can Rescue Plan coronavi- less than 20 million people higher than a year ago, Associated Press rus relief package — more compared with Texas' 29 according to the Labor De- than doubled the normal million, received just under partment's consumer price months as wholesale heat- said the overall relief pack- funding level of the Low $876 million. index. Residential heat- ing oil prices are roughly age, which was signed Income Home Energy Assis- President Joe Biden's ing oil prices are up about where they were at the into law by the Demo- tance Program, or LIHEAP. administration also an- 40% from a year ago, ac- start of October. cratic president in March, These funds represent the nounced commitments cording to the Energy In- The aid is meant to help has caused higher levels largest appropriation in a from seven major util- formation Administration. cushion the shock of higher of inflation by pumping single year since the pro- ity companies across the The extent of the increase winter energy costs. But Re- too much money into the gram was established in country to guarantee no has moderated in recent publican lawmakers have economy.q A4 U.S. NEWS Saturday 8 January 2022 Arbery killers get life in prison; no parole for father, son BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — that Greg McMichael gave Three white men convicted Bryan's cellphone video of of murder for chasing and the shooting to an attor- killing Ahmaud Arbery were ney, who leaked it. sentenced to life in prison "He believed it was going Friday, with a judge deny- to exonerate him," the pros- ing any chance of parole ecutor said. for the father and son who The McMichaels' defense armed themselves and initi- attorneys argued that their ated the deadly pursuit of clients deserved the possi- the 25-year-old Black man. bility of parole because the Superior Court Judge Timo- killing was an unplanned, thy Walmsley ordered Greg unintentional act. Bryan's and Travis McMichael to lawyer said he showed re- serve life without parole for morse and cooperated Arbery's fatal shooting and with police, turning over granted their neighbor, the cellphone video of the William "Roddie" Bryan, a shooting to help them get chance to earn parole af- to the truth. ter serving at least 30 years "Mr. Bryan isn't the one in prison. who brought a gun," Kevin "Ahmaud Arbery was hunt- Gough said. "He was un- ed down and shot, and he armed. And I think that re- was killed because individ- flects his intentions." uals here in the courtroom Bryan is 52, raising the Greg McMichael, right, waits for the sentencing of he and his son Travis McMichael, and a neigh- took the law into their own bor, William "Roddie" Bryan in the Glynn County Courthouse, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Brunswick, Ga. chances that he will spend hands," the judge said be- Associated Press the remainder of his life fore sentencing. house steps Friday after- positive thinker with a big "This wasn't a case of mis- in prison even with the Walmsley said Arbery left noon. personality. She told the taken identity or mistaken chance of parole after his home for a jog and "Today your son has made judge her brother had dark fact. They chose to target serving 30 years. ended up running for his life history, because we have skin "that glistened in the my son because they didn't The McMichaels grabbed for five minutes as the men people who are being held sunlight," thick, curly hair want him in their communi- guns and jumped in a pick- chased him in pickup trucks accountable for lynching and an athletic build, fac- ty. They chose to treat him up truck to chase Arbery until they finally cornered a Black man in America!" tors that made him a target differently than other peo- after spotting him running in him. The judge paused for said Benjamin Crump, a for the men who pursued ple who frequently visited their neighborhood on Feb. a minute of silence to help civil attorney representing him. their community," Wanda 23, 2020. Bryan joined the drive home a sense of what the family. "These are the qualities that Cooper-Jones said. "And pursuit in his own truck and that time must have been Murder carries a mandato- made these men assume when they couldn't suffi- recorded cellphone video like for Arbery. ry sentence of life in prison that Ahmaud was a dan- ciently scare or intimidate of Travis McMichael firing "When I thought about this, under Georgia law unless gerous criminal and chase him, they killed him." close-range shotgun blasts I thought from a lot of differ- prosecutors seek the death him with guns drawn. To The judge's sentences into Arbery as he threw ent angles. I kept coming penalty, which they opted me, those qualities reflect matched the recommen- punches and grabbed for back to the terror that must against in this case. The a young man full of life and dation of prosecutor Linda the weapon. have been in the mind of main decision for Walmsley energy who looked like me Dunikoski, who said all de- The killing went largely un- the young man running was whether to grant an and the people I loved," served the mandatory life noticed until two months through Satilla Shores," he eventual chance to earn Jasmine Arbery said. sentence for showing "no later, when the graphic said, mentioning the neigh- parole. Arbery's mother said she empathy for the trapped video was leaked online borhood outside the port During the sentencing suffered a personal, intense and terrified Ahmaud Ar- and touched off a national city of Brunswick where Ar- hearing, Arbery's fam- loss made worse by a trial bery." outcry. The Georgia Bureau bery was killed. ily had asked the judge to where the defense was Contending the McMi- of Investigation took over A few dozen supporters show no lenience. that her son had made chaels still believed they the case from local police cheered Arbery's family as Arbery's sister recalled his bad choices that led to his didn't do anything wrong, and soon arrested all three they exited onto the court- humor, describing him as a death. Dunikoski disclosed Friday men.q Judge Judy funds scholarships at NY law school she attended NEW YORK (AP) — "Judge the school said. ate this spring. Judy" Sheindlin has given a Sheindlin, whose "Judge Women make up 62% of $5 million donation to New Judy" courtroom television the law school's student York Law School, where show ended in Septem- body. she, her daughter and ber after a 25-year run, "We point to (Sheindlin) as granddaughter have at- now hosts "Judy Justice" on a great success story for tended. Amazon. She graduated the law school," said Antho- The donation will fund full from New York Law School ny W. Crowell, dean and tuition and books for 10 in 1965, and her daughter president. "It's a testament Judge Judy Sheindlin arrives at the 46th annual Daytime Emmy women a year, along with Nicole Sheindlin graduated to discipline, hard work, Awards in Pasadena, Calif. on May 5, 2019. a summer employment fel- in 1993. Granddaughter tenacity and what we call Associated Press lowship after their first year, Sarah Rose is set to gradu- New York grit."q WORLD NEWS A5 Saturday 8 January 2022 NATO rules out any halt to expansion, despite Russian demand By LORNE COOK seven years, the fight- BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Sec- ing has killed over 14,000 retary General Jens Stol- people and devastated tenberg on Friday ruled out Ukraine's industrial heart- any halt to the continued land, known as Donbas. expansion of the military Russia denies that it has organization to address fresh plans to attack its Russian security concerns, neighbor, but Putin wants rejecting a key part of Pres- legal guarantees that ident Vladimir Putin's de- would rule out NATO ex- mands for easing tensions pansion and weapons de- with Ukraine. ployments. Moscow says it "We will not compromise on expects answers to its secu- core principles, including rity proposals this month. the right for every nation to Friday's meeting was the decide its own path, includ- first in a flurry of high-level ing what kind of security ar- talks involving NATO, senior rangements it wants to be U.S. and Russian officials a part of," Stoltenberg told and the Organization for reporters in Brussels after an Security and Cooperation extraordinary meeting of in Europe over the next NATO foreign ministers. week. U.S. Secretary of State Ant- French President Emmanu- ony Blinken and his coun- el Macron said Friday that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference after an extraordi- terparts held online talks to it's important to speak with nary meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs via video link at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, prepare for the first meet- Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Russia about its concerns, ing of the NATO-Russia Associated Press and that he will talk again Council in more than two that Putin might order an founding treaty. Under Ar- electronic warfare equip- with Putin "in the coming years. The meeting, set for invasion of Ukraine. ticle 10 of the 1949 Wash- ment and we see a lot of days." Wednesday in Brussels, will NATO would have to agree ington Treaty, the organiza- different military capabili- "Dialogue does not mean give NATO ambassadors to halt all membership tion can invite in any willing ties," he said. giving in," Macron told re- the chance to discuss Pu- plans, not just with Ukraine, European country that can This buildup, combined porters in Paris at an event tin's security proposals with and to end military exercis- contribute to security in the with Russia's security de- to mark the start of France's Russia's envoy face to face. es close to Russia's borders. North Atlantic area, as well mands, and its track re- six-month term at the helm Much contained in the In exchange, Russia would as fulfill the obligations of cord in Ukraine and Geor- of the European Union. documents that Moscow respect the international membership. gia, "sends a message that The NATO-Russia Council has made public — a draft commitments it's signed up Stoltenberg said a Rus- there is a real risk for a new was set up two decades agreement with NATO to on limiting wargames, as sian military buildup near armed conflict in Europe," ago. But NATO ended prac- countries and the offer of a well as end aircraft buzzing Ukraine that sparked wor- Stoltenberg said. tical cooperation with Rus- treaty between Russia and incidents and other low- ries of a possible invasion Russia annexed Ukraine's sia through the NRC in 2014 the United States — ap- level hostilities. has continued. Crimean Peninsula in 2014 after it annexed Crimea. pears to be a non-starter Endorsing such an agree- "We see armored units, we and later backed a sepa- Wednesday's meeting will at the 30-country military ment would require NATO see artillery, we see com- ratist rebellion in the coun- be the first since July 2019. organization, despite fears to reject a key part of its bat ready troops, we see try's east. Over more than q Iran displays missiles amid nuclear talks with world powers DUBAI, United Arab Emir- to limit Iran's nuclear ambi- killed top Iranian general ates (AP) — Iran displayed tions in exchange for lifting Qassem Soleimani in Bagh- three ballistic missiles at an of economic sanctions. dad in 2020. outdoor prayer esplanade American diplomats are The Iranian military mistak- in central Tehran on Friday present at the nuclear talks enly shot down Ukraine as talks in Vienna aimed at in Vienna but they are not International Airlines Flight reviving Tehran's nuclear in direct talks with Iranians. PS752 with two surface-to- deal with world powers The accord collapsed in air missiles after the attacks, flounder. 2018 when then-President killing all 176 people on The missiles — known as Donald Trump unilaterally board. Dezful, Qiam and Zol- withdrew the United States After days of denial, the faghar — have official from the deal and re-im- Guard publicly apologized, ranges of up to 1,000 kilo- posed sanctions on Iran. blaming an air defense op- meters (620 miles) and are A report by Iranian state erator who authorities said already-known models, the television said the missiles mistook the Boeing 737-800 paramilitary Revolutionary on display were the same for an American cruise mis- Guard said. types as those used to strike sile. A man holds an anti-U.S. banner in front of Zolfaghar, top, Dez- ful, bottom, and Qiam, background left, missiles displayed in a Diplomats from countries U.S. bases in Iraq. An Iranian military court in missile capabilities exhibition by the paramilitary Revolutionary that remain in the 2015 The display came on the November held a hearing Guard a day prior to second anniversary of Iran's missile strike nuclear deal — Britain, second anniversary of a for 10 people suspected of on U.S. bases in Iraq in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. France, Germany, Russia ballistic missile attack on having role in downing the Associated Press and China — are working bases housing American Ukrainian airliner. with Tehran to revive the troops in Iraq in retaliation State TV said a commem- victims was held in Tehran's presence of their families as accord, which had sought for the U.S. drone strike that oration ceremony for the main cemetery with the well as officials.q A6 WORLD NEWS Saturday 8 January 2022 Polish leader admits country bought powerful Israeli spyware WARSAW, Poland (AP) — liamentary election cam- Poland's most powerful pol- paign. itician has acknowledged Text messages stolen from that the country bought Brejza's phone were doc- advanced spyware from tored and aired by state- the Israeli surveillance soft- controlled TV in Poland as ware maker NSO Group, part of a smear campaign but denied that it was be- in the heat of the race, ing used to target his politi- which the populist ruling cal opponents. party went on to narrowly Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the win. leader of Poland's ruling Brejza now maintains that conservative party, Law the election was unfair and Justice, said in an in- since the ruling party would terview that the secret ser- have had access to his vices in many countries are campaign's tactical think- using the Pegasus software ing and plans. to combat crime and cor- The hacking revelations ruption. have rocked Poland, draw- Kaczynski said the use of ing comparisons to the such spyware arose in re- 1970s Watergate scandal in sponse to the growing use the United States and elicit- of encryption to mask data ing calls for an investigative in transit, which defeated commission in parliament. earlier monitoring technol- Kaczynski said he saw no ogies. By hacking phones, reason to set up such a Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of Poland's ruling party Law and Justice, speaks at a news confer- it lets authorities monitor ence in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday Oct. 26, 2021. commission, and he de- communications, as well Associated Press nied that the surveillance as real-time conversations published in the Monday ated Press that Citizen Lab, On Thursday, Amnesty In- played any role in the out- where they are not en- edition of weekly magazine a cyber watchdog group ternational independently come of the 2019 election. crypted. Sieci. The wPolityce.pl news at the University of Toron- verified Citizen Lab's finding "There is nothing here, no "It would be bad if the Pol- portal published excerpts to, found that three Polish that Sen. Krzysztof Brejza fact, except the hysteria of ish services did not have on Friday. government critics were was hacked multiple times the opposition. There is no this type of tool," Kaczynski The interview follows exclu- hacked with NSO's Pega- in 2019 when he was run- Pegasus case, no surveil- said in an interview to be sive reports by The Associ- sus. ning the opposition's par- lance," Kaczynski said. q India sends medicines to Afghanistan, wheat to follow By ASHOK SHARMA schools, factories and gov- NEW DELHI (AP) — India ernment ministries. delivered two tons of medi- New Delhi has no diplomat- cines to Afghanistan on ic presence in Kabul after Friday, although it has not evacuating its staff ahead officially recognized its Tal- of the U.S. withdrawal from iban government. Afghanistan in August. It The medicine was given to did, however, meet with a Kabul's Indira Gandhi Hos- Taliban representative in pital, which was set up with Qatar on Aug. 31. Indian assistance in 2004, Before the Taliban took Indian External Affairs Min- Kabul, India provided Af- istry spokesperson Arindam ghan security forces with Bagchi said. operational training and Last month, India supplied military equipment, even Afghanistan with 500,000 though it had no troops on doses of COVID-19 vac- the ground. It also was the cines and 1.6 tons of medi- region's largest provider cal supplies through the of development aid to Af- World Health Organization, ghanistan. Bagchi said in a statement. Archrivals India and Paki- India also announced that stan have both long tried to it will provide 50,000 tons wield influence in Afghani- Afghan health ministry workers unloads boxes of the first shipment of 500,000 doses of the As- of wheat to Afghanistan to stan to meet their security traZeneca coronavirus vaccine made by Serum Institute of India, donated by the Indian gov- ease food shortages there interests. ernment, at the customs area of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is working out details Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. India's leaders fear the of the shipment with Paki- Associated Press Taliban's rise to power will stan's government. Paki- with Indian Prime Minister ready war-devastated Afghanistan's previous gov- benefit Pakistan and feed stan does not allow Indian Narendra Modi's govern- Afghan economy once ernment's budget came a long-simmering insurgen- transport vehicles to use its ment. kept alive by international from the international com- cy in the disputed region land route to Afghanistan Since the chaotic Taliban donations is on the verge munity. That money, now of Kashmir, where militants because of tense relations takeover of Kabul, an al- of collapse. Nearly 80% of cut off, financed hospitals, already have a foothold.q WORLD NEWS A7 Saturday 8 January 2022 Orthodox Christians observe Christmas amid virus concerns By JIM HEINTZ in one day since the start of Associated Press the pandemic. MOSCOW (AP) — Orthodox Health measures in Serbia Christians in Russia, Serbia include mandatory face and other countries ob- mask use indoors and and served Christmas on Friday limits on gatherings, but amid restrictions aimed at the rules have not been dampening the spread of fully respected. Vaccina- the coronavirus, but few tion passes are required for worshipers appeared con- bars, restaurants and clubs cerned as they streamed in the evening but not for into churches on Christmas churches or other indoor Eve. venues. The majority of Orthodox In his Christmas message, believers celebrate Christ- Serbian Orthodox Church mas on Jan. 7, with mid- Patriarch Porfirije singled night services especially out medical personnel for popular. The churches in their work during the pub- Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus lic health crisis and said, "I and Greece mark the Na- pray for the sick to get well tivity of Jesus on Dec. 25 as soon as possible and for along with other Christian the disease that has at- denominations. tacked the world to pass." The Russian Orthodox "The Church therefore calls Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill delivers the Christmas Liturgy in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral Church, the largest Ortho- in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. during the pandemic for dox congregation, said Associated Press the respect of reasonable celebrants needed to wear masks or had them pulled concern is strong that the for the traditional burning measures and recommen- masks and observe social down to their chins as they highly contagious omicron of dried oak branches that dations of governments distancing at Christmas ser- watched the pageantry. variant may be getting a symbolize the Yule log. The and other authorities in the vices. At Moscow's huge Russian President Vladimir foothold in the country. church also scheduled a states and regions in which Christ The Savior Cathedral, Putin, also without a mask, Health Minister Mikhail Mu- midnight Christmas Eve lit- our people live, but also re- church leader Patriarch attended a service at the rashko said Thursday that urgy. minds everyone to avoid Kirill and other gold-robed Church of the Image of officials have detected No specific anti-virus mea- exclusion and for respect priests chanted prayers the Saviour Made Without omicron infections in peo- sures were announced for of human freedom as the and waved smoking con- Hands in Novo-Ogaryovo, ple who had not traveled Serbia's religious ceremo- highest and most valuable tainers of incense during a outside Moscow. outside Russia. nies despite a huge rise in God's gift to men," Porfirije midnight service. Russia's daily tally of new In Serbia's capital, Bel- infections apparently fu- added. A live broadcast of the COVID-19 cases has grade, hundreds of wor- eled by the omicron vari- In Kazakhstan, the siz- service indicated about dropped by about half in shipers gathered outside ant. Serbia on Thursday able Orthodox community half of the worshippers in the last month, to about St. Sava Temple, the largest reported more than 9,000 could not observe Christ- attendance were without 15,000 on Thursday. But Serbian Orthodox church, new daily cases, the most mas in churches. q Ethiopia grants amnesty to high-profile political detainees NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — they would not advance make the upcoming na- Ethiopia's government further there. tional dialogue successful on Friday announced an The war in Africa's second and inclusive." Ethiopian amnesty for some of the most populous country lawmakers on Dec. 29 ap- country's most high-profile has highlighted the dead- proved a bill to establish a political detainees, includ- ly ethnic tensions posing commission for national di- ing opposition figure Jawar the greatest challenge to alogue amid international Mohammed and senior Abiy's rule. pressure for negotiations to Tigray party officials, as Ethiopia's state broadcast- end the war. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed er, EBC, named both Jawar The state broadcaster also spoke of reconciliation for and opposition figure Es- named several senior of- Orthodox Christmas. kinder Nega, who were ficials with Tigray's ruling "The key to lasting unity is detained in July 2020 fol- Tigray People's Liberation dialogue," the government lowing deadly unrest over Front party as being grant- said in a statement on the killing of popular ethnic ed amnesty and said they the amnesty. "Ethiopia will Oromo artist Hachalu Hun- will be released soon. They Oromos protest against the government and call for the release make any sacrifices to this dessa, as those granted include Sebhat Nega, Ki- of prominent opposition figure Jawar Mohammed and others, end." amnesty. Eskinder, leader dusan Nega, Abay Woldu, seen on placards, during the annual Irreecha festival in the It was the most dramatic of the Balderas party, left a capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Oct. 2, 2021. Abadi Zemu, Mulu Gebreg- move yet by the govern- detention center on Friday Associated Press ziabher and Kiros Hagos. ment after the country's evening. the order for their release for their release came now. They were arrested in late deadly Tigray war entered But Tuli Bayis, a lawyer for came late in the day. "We heard it is an amnesty, 2020 when government a new phase in late De- Jawar of the Oromo Fed- "They have security risks, so that's what we know for forces captured most of cember, when Tigray forces eralist Congress party and they preferred to exit the now." the Tigray region shortly af- retreated into their region others, told The Associated correction facility in day- Ethiopia's ministry of justice ter war erupted between amid a military offensive Press that they refused to time," Tuli said, adding he said the amnesty for Jawar Tigray forces and Ethiopian and Ethiopian forces said leave the prison facility as was not sure why the order and Nega was granted "to ones.q a8 local Saturday 8 January 2022 COVID-19 Status on Aruba ‘Your Point of View’ ORANJESTAD – Rules and protocols are • Entertainment: Max 5 musicians on ORANJESTAD — Aruba Today encourages you to share being reviewed and evaluated on a daily stage. your opinion with our readers through our newest basis and adapted as per current situation • Gathering Ban: Max. 6 people. column ‘Your Point of view’. by a crisis team, in order to protect each • Shopping: 1 person per family and every one visiting and residing our is- ** Businesses are allowed to lit their pagara Was there a certain situation that you think might have land. until 12:00pm on Deccember 31, 2021. been handled differently? Or perhaps a really nice ** Nightlife will be able to stay open un- experience you went through? Maybe you want to Covid Status: til 1:00am on New Year’s day instead of just let our readers know how your overall experience There are currently 4.755 active cases. 12:00 am. was on the island while vacationing here despite the 4.122 are residents and 633 non-residents. crisis. Let’s exchange ideas and experiences related 181 deceased. The following measures remain applica- to Aruba. There are 24 persons hospitalized in Aruba ble: of which 3 are in the ICU. Due to lack of • Masks: Use of masks is mandatory in- Send us ‘Your Point of View’ with your name and where staff at the hospital they have to send side at all establishments. you are from to [email protected]. patients over to Colombia for treatment. • Alcohol: Ban of alcohol on public PS. Article will be screened prior to publication. No There are currently 3 persons at the ICU in roads: 24 hours. defamation of people or businesses will be allowed. Colombia. • Social Distancing: Continue maintain- Only constructive criticism/feedback. ing social distance. Vaccination Status: For today we received a letter form a reader from A total of 84,191 of the total population has New isolation and quarantine guidelines Pennsylvania. been vaccinated of which 78,627 persons The Crisis Team, after thorough consider- She wrote: received both shots of the vaccine and ation of the different advice and analysis, 5,564 received only the first shot. Children has changed the isolation and quarantine We were scheduled to arrive in Aruba today (Friday, as young as 12 years are being vaccinat- guidelines. Once a person gets a positive January 7th and depart on Friday, January 14th). ed. For the senior population of 60 years SARS-CoV-2 test result, the person should We followed the covid guidelines and were tested and older a total of 21,794 received both isolate for five days and avoid contact on Wed. January 5th at 8am exactly 48 hours before shots and 995 received only the first shot. with others in the household. The five days departure. Aruba is administering booster shots to of isolation start on the date the person re- persons 40 and older. As seen around the ceived the positive test result. Here it is 50 hours later from testing and still no results world, the booster shot provides that extra If after five days in isolation you still have which meant we were not allowed to fly to Aruba as layer of protection against the Delta vari- symptoms, you must continue to isolate scheduled on Friday, Jan 7th. ant as well as the Omicron variant, reduc- until you no longer have symptoms. After ing the possible effects when infected with 24 hours without any symptoms, the person Our Flight from Newark New Jersey was scheduled to either variant. Persons 40 years and older should complete the form sent by email. take off at 8am. Meaning our test results needed to can now walk-in at the Centro Deportivo Those living in the same house as the per- be uploaded by 4am. Since we live a distance from Betico Croes in Santa Cruz, from Monday son who tested positive should quarantine the airport we were going to spend the night in New to Friday from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm for their for 5 days, starting on the day they had Jersey to be at the airport on time for our flight. booster vaccine. You do not need an ap- immediate contact with the person who pointment for the Booster Shot. tested positive and should wear masks at We know since the New Year there has been a huge all times. The person who tested positive surge in covid cases and millions of people are being The measures are as follows as of Decem- must inform others living in the same home tested. Which delayed our travel test even though we ber 30, 2021 about the positive test result. The isolation are healthy and do not have covid. • Curfew: NO Curfew and quarantine protocols are included in • Closing Time: 12:00 am for all business the email sent to anyone who tests posi- After much consideration we decided at the very for the exception of Casino’s which tive. Please be aware that the DVG will no last minute to postpone our trip since no test results can stay open till 1:00 am longer contact those who tested positive were available. After many many hours on the phone • Restaurants: Max. 6 people per table. or anyone living in the same household. with the resort and Expedia we were finally able to • Social Activities and Sports: Max. peo- The DVG urges those who tested positive reschedule for a later date and thank god we didn’t ple: 60 indoors, 75 outdoors. to complete the form that sent by email have to pay any additional money to do this. We • Funerals: Max. people: 75 (if the space and to provide information about every- did take out the travel insurance just in case, but is adequately large enough) one living in the same home that needs to this process was stressful and very frustrating not to • Area Ban 7:00 pm - 5:00 am quarantine.q mention having to rearrange our vacation schedules • Nightlife: Dancing is not permitted with our employers. We are very pleased that Aruba is aware of the pandemic and wants to keep your island Happy and Healthy. But for folks like us that spent a lot of money that want to vacation there, the covid requirements of 2 days if making it very difficult to travel and get our results back in time. Frustration and stress added to the mix makes it very hard to plan. We are very much looking forward to visiting Aruba late in February if everything works out like it is supposed this time. Thank you so much for your time and listening to our complaint and hoping the pandemic will be better in the future to make it easier for people to vacation without extra added stress.q LOCAL A9 Saturday 8 January 2022 Covid Test Center at Paseo has the best experience! PALM BEACH - Don’t spend we are aware it is impera- the Paseo Herencia Mall, a single moment of your tive that this shows accu- home of the water and long awaited holiday in rately on the results. For a lights show in the evenings. Aruba thinking about your seamless process, please By the time you are back return testing. The Covid verify that you have pro- at the hotel, your results will Test Center Aruba located vided the correct email to be ready in your inbox. at the Paseo Herencia Mall deliver the certificate. Said is your travel ally. Just sit certificate can be printed A PCR test costs $75 and re- back and relax knowing at our offices should you sults are ready the next day, that, when the time comes, wish to do so. while Antigen test costs $35 their professional staff will with same day results. If you make this process a breeze We understand that no- are staying at an off-high- for you. No need to make body enjoys doing a nasal rise area property, you can an appointment or dread swab. That is why we take benefit from the free park- the nasal swab; you’ll be pride in our reputation of ing our customers receive done with it in a matter of being the gentlest swab- at the mall lot.). minutes and back to fun bers on the island. First, we stuff. will not rush you just to go For more information follow to the next in line. Through us on Facebook, Instagram Some regions require proof clear given instructions we or Twitter.q or certification of negative the Paseo Herencia Mall want you to feel comfort- COVID-19 status before al- in the heart of the Palm able. When you are ready, lowing people into or out of Beach Strip and right across we will promptly but ten- the country. With rules and from the Playa Linda and derly take a proper sam- guidelines varying greatly Holiday Inn hotels; only two ple. Many elsewhere trau- from country to country, doors from T.G.I. Friday’s. matized people praise the the safest approach is to We are open seven days a difference it makes to test have recent proof you are week, between 9 am and with us. COVID-19 negative before 9 pm. This gives you the you get to the airport. Co- choice to walk in when it Forget about counting vid Test Center @ Paseo better suits you. It can be hours before your flight, our provides both PCR and An- at the start or at the end of turnaround is fast! For travel tigen type testing with re- your day. No appointment to the US, for example, a sults within hours; and both needed here. day before will suffice. A are accepted by the CDC. great game plan is to test The friendly technicians at first, then head out for an Covid Test Center @ Paseo Covid Test Center @ Paseo evening of dining, shop- is conveniently located at will take your information as ping and entertainment at A10 locAl Saturday 8 January 2022 Blue Residences: Work & pleasure in paradise EAGLE BEACH — Dreaming taurant, landscaped sun- of your own private Carib- deck, fitness center, full bean sanctuary is a reality service spa and concierge now. Allow us to define this: service. Blue Residences offers you The project has three tow- a condo or penthouse with ers which contains 60 two- top notch amenities equal bedroom, two-bath units; to the offerings of high- 32 three-bedroom, three- class resorts facing the bath units; 8 one bedroom, Caribbean Sea, the white- one bathroom unit; 4 four- powdered sands of Eagle bedroom, four-bath duplex Beach. According to the townhouses; 2 five-bed- Travelers Choice Beaches room, five-and-a-half-bath Award, it is one of the top duplex townhouses; 12 25 beaches in the world. three-bedroom, four-bath And if you don’t believe duplex penthouses; and 6 them, you can always read five-bedroom, five-and-a- the thousands of positive half-bath duplex penthous- reviews on TripAdvisor. es. Blue Residences is situated Penthouse perfection in front of The Bubali Plas This is an once-in-a-life- bird sanctuary and one of time opportunity to be the the biggest reservoirs on owner of one of the hottest the island. It’s also within spots in the Caribbean and walking distance to Palm own an amazing, upscale Beach, home of the high- penthouse. There are two rise luxury hotels. The loca- levels of 180 degrees of tion is unequalled on the is- spectacular, ocean-view- land with a variety of water ing pleasure and amazing sports concessions, casinos, daily sunsets await you! restaurants, bars and shops Porcelain tiles, Italian-de- just a leisurely stroll away. signed kitchens, stainless The onsite amenities in- steel appliances (stove, clude pools, hot tub, res- refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave), washer zation with an impeccable Office is set for you and dryer machines and reputation who even ar- Did you know Aruba has assigned parking space is range your short-term and the best internet connec- what you get for a great long-term rentals if you are tion in the whole of the Ca- offer. Take this chance to looking for a return on your ribbean? buy your dream and be investment. Did you also know that the part of a builder’s organi- island is actually designed for working remotely? All the facilities you need are ready for you, there are even special “workation packages” available. Yes. The office at Blue Resi- dences is just right for you. With windows all around you for viewing the blue skies and turquoise waters as decoration for an en- ergized, productive day is set. If you want to rent or buy and live the Blue Residenc- es experience please email Jaime Gomez at jgomez@ azure-aruba.com or visit www.bluearuba.com. The sales office is open from Monday to Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. Go see the amazing view. q

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