Micro Brief, Updates and Opinion: RMI declares COVID-19 Free, FSM recognizes Biden and receives drone, Palau continues transition






In an article dated, November 12, 2020 from the Marshall Island Journal's website, the headline reads: 

RMI: Covid-free status returns


This is great news for our cousins in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).  If you recall, there were two contractors who came in from Hawaii into Kwajelein and tested positive for COVID-19 that took away the Covid-free status in the first place.  Now, according to the article: 

President David Kabua, speaking at the last day of Nitijela Tuesday, first announced the news that the American had no symptoms and had been cleared by his primary doctor at Kwajalein, two weeks into his three-week quarantine at Kwajalein.

The first batch of repatriated Marshallese is in their second week of quarantine on Kwajalein.  There have been no reports of any positive tests, and the next round of tests will happen on November 14.   

But, the question in my mind remains, once you go positive covid-19, can you go back?  Just asking. 

Over in the FSM, the President, David W. Panuelo, sent formal congratulations to Joseph Biden, even though the official election results have yet to be shared, expressing FSM's keen hope to see the USA return as the champion of global efforts to tackle the 'existential' threat of climate change.  He went on to say:

“Mr. President-Elect and Madam Vice President-Elect, with respect, I have seen you pronounce that on your first day in office that the United States of America will rejoin the Paris Agreement, and it is my sincere and heartfelt hope that this is precisely what will occur.”

Later on, the FSM Government received an AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma drone from the U.S. Embassy Kolonia.  Amazing! Since the US is responsible for our security and has the power and authority over our airspace, I'm wondering, what took them so long?  We can definitely use this drone for illegal fishing and search and rescue missions.  Awesome.

And over in the Republic of Palau, the newly elected President, Surangel Whipps, Jr., has organized a transition team as he prepares to take over the helm of Palau.  An exciting time for Palau.  A far cry from the violence and confusion of the early years in Palau.  

OPINION:

I wonder if the RMI's Covid free status will now allow repatriation for FSM citizens who were set and prepared to return before the first positive cases happened and changed the repatriation plans.  I heard many people had resigned from their jobs in anticipation of returning home and have since been stranded with no job and funds running low.  Interesting to see how this turns out.  

The drone is a welcome piece of tech in the FSM.  I remember reading about a recent case when a man was lost at sea.  He had initially called from his cell phone for assistance, and the response took about an hour or so, because they had to fuel up, get their boats ready, and then head to him.  They never found him, and I'm sure a drone could've been up in the air in a matter of minutes, took some photos or video, marked the location, and stayed on station for some time while search and rescue efforts got underway.  They can also attach some hellfire missiles and take out illegal fishing boats, too? That would be awesome


 

 


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Image by Tanja-Denise Schantz from Pixabay 


 

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