GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Ingrid Arrindell on Tuesday, 17^th of May congratulated, via a press statement, all telecommunication-sector workers on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), which is being internationally observed today.

The theme for WTISD is “ICT entrepreneurship for social impact.”

May 17^th has been identified as a day to help raise awareness of the opportunities that the use of the internet, and other information and communication technologies (ICT), can bring to societies and economies, as well as the ability of the internet to bridge the digital divide.

“Developments in telecommunications and information technology, today form the basis of nearly everything we do.   Times have changed, and we live in a different world - a digital world.  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all telecommunication workers, as well as all those working in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) field on their special day.  The tasks that you perform daily are critical to our economy and daily life, as just about everything is digitally driven.  Many systems are dependent on telecommunications and ICT, and both are indeed the drivers of innovation.

“I call on small and medium-sized businesses to seize the opportunity to innovate, through the use of ICT, to create products and services that will create the new digital Sint Maarten economy.  We must think outside of the box in the 21^st century and stretch the imagination as far as it can go.  We must project where we as a country should be fifty years from now.” 

“Technological innovations will continue to improve the quality of our lives. For example, when we can sit at our computer and pay all of our bills instead of driving to GEBE, TelEm/UTS, Cable TV, etc. This increases productivity by saving time – no spending time standing in long lines to pay a bill, this helps the environment - saves gas, and this alleviates traffic congestion on our roads”. 

Our young entrepreneurs-to-be and those who have graduated, we need your expertise to harness the power of the digital world from a Sint Maarten perspective.  Let us work together to create a Sint Maarten digital revolution and develop this sector where jobs are created for our young, bright and vibrant minds.

May 17^th marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865 and the creation of the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU).  This year marks the 151^st anniversary of ITU.

May 17^th is a day to reflect upon where we are today and where we want to be 50-years from now.  We must not sit back and wait on others, but jump-start and take the lead in the digital age.  I challenge our youth and young entrepreneurs to become the digital pioneers of our country,” Minister Ingrid Arrindell said on Tuesday.

SINT MAARTEN - The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recognize that athletes and visitors are seeking more information on the risks of Zika and ways to prevent infection while attending the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games (5 August to 18 September 2016).

Brazil is one of the 58 countries and territories which to-date report continuing transmission of Zika virus by mosquitoes. While mosquitoes are the primary vectors, a person infected with Zika virus can also transmit the virus to another person through unprotected sex.

Zika virus disease usually causes mild symptoms (1), and most people will not develop any symptoms. However, there is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly (children being born with unusually small heads) and other brain malformations and disorders in babies born to women who were infected with Zika virus during pregnancy, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare but serious neurological disorder that could lead to paralysis and death).

Athletes and visitors to Rio de Janeiro, and other areas where Zika virus is circulating, are being encouraged to

• follow the travel advice(2) provided by WHO and their countries' health authorities, and consult a health worker before travelling;
• whenever possible, during the day, protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellents and by wearing clothing – preferably light-coloured – that covers as much of the body as possible;
• practice safer sex (e.g. use condoms correctly and consistently) or abstain from sex during their stay and for at least four weeks after their return, particularly if they have had or are experiencing symptoms of Zika virus;
• choose air-conditioned accommodation (windows and doors are usually kept closed to prevent the cool air from escaping, and mosquitoes cannot enter the rooms);
• avoid visiting impoverished and over-crowded areas in cities and towns with no piped water and poor sanitation (ideal breeding grounds of mosquitoes) where the risk of being bitten is higher. Pregnant women continue to be advised not to travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission. This includes Rio de Janeiro.

Pregnant women continue to be advised not to travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission. This includes Rio de Janeiro. Pregnant women's sex partners returning from areas with circulating virus continue to be counselled to practice safer sex or abstain throughout the pregnancy (3). The Games will take place during Brazil's wintertime when there are fewer active mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten is lower.

WHO/PAHO is providing public health advice to the Government of Brazil and, under a Memorandum of Understanding, the International Olympic Committee and, by extension, the Rio 2016 Local Organizing Committee, on ways to further mitigate the risk of athletes and visitors contracting Zika virus during the Games. An important focus of WHO advice revolves around measures to reduce populations of Aedes mosquitoes which transmit chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever in addition to Zika virus.

WHO/PAHO will continue to monitor the Zika virus transmission and risks in Brazil and in other affected areas to provide updates on how Zika virus outbreaks, risks and prevention interventions develop between now and August and beyond.

(1) Symptoms include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache.
(2) Travel advice from WHO
(3) Prevention of sexual transmission

ST. JOHN’S ESTATE - Miss TelCell Mature Queen 2016; Norrisa Anatol commenced her royal duties by treating the moms at the White & Yellow Cross Foundation Sint Martin’s Home for Mother’s Day on May 8^th 2016.

Ms. Anatol along with her TeamRissa entourage started off the event with a prayer, uplifting hymns and provided words of encouragement to the clients.  Ms. Anatol reminded the mothers that they are the sweetest gift from Gods to us. There is no way we can ever really thank our mother for all they do for us nevertheless, we must make it a habit to keep reminding ourselves of the various sacrifices they made while raising us.

The moms were treated to hair and nail care and received a rose to remind them of how truly special they are. The male clients were not left out as everyone were treated to cake and drink refreshments, danced to songs of Mighty Sparrow and engaged in productive conversations.

"Today I felt personally touched by this unique experience but definitely elated to have spent Mother's Day with our seniors to kick off my reign Miss TelCell Mature Queen 2016," remarked Norissa Anatol. Also in attendance to assist in this event were the Miss Mature delegates Valeska Laurant, Vivienne Horsford and Jocelyne Pantophlet.

“I am thankful to Mariane Pantophlet and the staff of the White and Yellow Cross Foundation Saint Martin’s Home for allowing me to carry out this event, Lydia’s Flowershop and Cleon Frederick for their contribution and my entire TeamRissa and delegates for their assistance. My team and I will continue to reach out to the community and I encourage others to do the same," Anatol concluded.