Campaign for Common Sense & Civility in The Gambia

14/06/2020

9.30 PM Sunday rain radar image.

HEAVY RAIN ALERT - URR and all Gambia.

Burkina Faso's morning storm crossed Mali and is now in Senegal and advancing fast on URR.

VERY LIKELY it will reach URR around midnight and all of Gambia before dawn.

BE PREPARED.

13/06/2020

RAIN ALERT - ALL GAMBIA OVERNIGHT.

This is the rain satellite at 11.30 PM. Rain has now crossed into Gambia URR and is moving steadily west.

EXTREMELY LIKELY it will reach all parts of the country before dawn.

Be prepared.

11/06/2020

This is West Africa's rain report at 6.15 PM.

Rain drifting into Senegal from Mali. Most likely will hit Dakar tonight, but could drift south towards Gambia.

Light rain in Guinea and Sierra Leone. Heavy rain in parts of Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Niger.

11/06/2020

West Africa weather this morning at 6.30 AM.

Light rain across the Guineas, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. Showers drifting down from Mali and Mauritania. Storm forming over Nigeria and fierce storms in the Gulf of Guinea.

N.B. Shows rain, not all cloud.

09/06/2020

This is the West Africa's weather this morning.

Fierce storms over Benin and Togo, about to move into Ghana, and another storm across central Burkina Faso.

Light showers across Mauritania drifting down into Senegal.

08/06/2020

Heavy rain alert CRR.

At 6.30 AM steady rain across URR and moving west into CRR.

Likely to reach LRR and NB this morning and WCR on target if this front isn't weakened by the sun.

Stay tuned for updates if NAWEC can keep the power on.

06/06/2020

Heavy rain heading for URR around midday.

02/06/2020

This humungous and potentially dangerous storm is moving west this morning and will probably just miss The Gambia today, but too soon to be sure.

Make no mistake: the rainy season is well under way.

The World Met. Org forecasts a heavy one. Be prepared.

31/05/2020

Caution: First rains of the season could be on way today.

This rain radar shows a steady rain cloud about 400 miles across heading into south Senegal and Guinea from Mali on a due west trajectory that could hit south Gambia later today.

About 50/50 chance right now.

29/05/2020

This evening (5.45 PM) heavy rain crossed from Mali across southwest Senegal and is now heading towards the Guinea coast.

The WMO warned in April that the region should expect heavy and early rain this year. All the signs are we are very close.

27/05/2020

https://standard.gm/50-of-banjul-households-yet-to-get-govt-food-aid/

By Momodou Justice Darboe

27/05/2020

https://www.voicegambia.com/2020/05/27/movement-against-tribalism-to-be-launched/

By Mani Kumba Anti-tribalism movement which aims at combating tribal insult and its related malice is expected to be launched before end of 2020. A man behind the movement, Kebba Ceesay, 54, said: “The Gambia is one family and one tribe. In each family there are various tribes due to marriage and ...

18/05/2020

"Senegal's response to the coronavirus is notable not only for its humanity but for its thoroughness. Each newly diagnosed individual is provided a bed where he or she stays isolated and observed– a key element to Senegal's strategy to contain the virus."

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/05/17/856016429/senegal-pledges-a-bed-for-every-coronavirus-patient-and-their-contacts-too

14/05/2020

Mai Fatty, playing religion for political gain, thinks that because mosques are closed for the safety of the nation that markets should be closed too.

Let me see. Last time I looked people could pray at home if the mosques were closed. Where would Mai Fatty suggest regular people without cars and unable to afford supermarket prices buy their food if the markets were closed?

Mai fatty might want to pay attention to the Islamic countries that left closing mosques until it was too late. The infection and fatality rates from Covid-19 speak for themselves.

The Gambia has among the lowest infection and fatality rates in the world.

Let's keep it that way.

Yes, Mai Fatty is correct in noting the markets are not being properly regulated. However, two wrongs do not make a right.

And one has to ask why Mai Fatty thinks mosques should be reopened but makes no mentions of churches.

Playing off religion for political gain is unacceptable at any time, but especially so now.

https://foroyaa.net/mai-fatty-critical-on-governments-closure-of-mosques/

By Yankuba Jallow

13/05/2020

Police impound 36 vehicles for violating Covid-19 rules.

https://standard.gm/police-impound-36-vehicles-for-violating-covid-19-rules/

By Momodou Justice Darboe

12/05/2020

23 coronavirus cases in The Gambia. But for now we are still among the safest countries on the planet.

Let's keep it that way by following social distancing and hygiene guidelines.

11/05/2020

This evening, May 11, heavy rain is just a short distance from The Gambia. This big rain cloud is just skirting the south Senegal border with Guinea and Guinea Bissau.

All indications are the 2020 rainy season will arrive early and be heavier than usual.

11/05/2020

22 Covid-19 cases now officially recorded in The Gambia.

04/05/2020

Hotels, Hospitality And Allied Sectors Grapples With D6.7 Billion Loss Amid Of Covid-19.

This is something to bear in mind when you hear the idiots out there saying the virus is a fake so that the government can pocket a few million dalasis in aid.

The aid on offer will come nowhere covering the losses.

https://www.voicegambia.com/2020/05/04/hotels-hospitality-and-allied-sectors-grapples-with-d6-7-billion-loss-amid-of-covid-19/

By Yunus S Saliu As coronavirus pandemic continue creating panic across the world with yet to end grief among the people so the hotel, travel and allied sectors in The Gambia is counting the negative impacts of the pandemic on hospitality sector and country’s economy as a whole. The negative impac...

04/05/2020

The World Meteorological Organisation has forecast above average rainfall, heavier rain, earlier, fewer dry spells, high risk of flooding and storm damage for this rainy season .

Per the graphic, the green areas show above average rainfall is expected this season.

https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/wetter-average-rainy-season-sahelian-strip

Stay tuned to the Campaign for Common Sense & Civility in The Gambia and to our twitter feed () for storm alerts as the rainy season draws closer.

The 2020 rainy season for the Sudanian and Sahelian zones is expected to be wetter than average. Indeed, above average rainfall amounts relative to the 1981-2010 period are expected over the entire Sahelian strip.

04/05/2020

Effective 30 April 2020, the retail prices of fuel throughout The Gambia is as follows:

Petrol - D40 per liter from 49.36 (a D9.36 reduction)

Diesel - D43 per liter from D50.04 (a D7.04 reduction)

Kerosene - D30 per liter from D41.35 (a D7.04 reduction)

25/04/2020

10 cases. 8 recovered. 1 dead. I being treated. We are doing better than most countries right now, but no room for complacency.

Globally there are 2.8 million confirmed cases and 197,000 dead. We will cross 200,000 dead later today (April 25 2020)..

USA 52,000 dead.
Italy 25,000 dead.
Spain 22,000 dead.
France 22,000 dead.
UK 18,000 dead.

Algeria 415 dead.
Egypt 158 dead.
South Africa 79 dead
Cameroon 43 dead
Burkina Faso 41 dead
Nigeria 32 dead
DRC 25 dead
Niger 24 dead
Mali 21 dead
Cote d'Ivoire 14 dead
Ghana 10 dead
Tanzania 10 dead
Senegal 7 dead
Guinea 6 dead

20/04/2020

A 5 year old African-American girl is among the latest victims of Covid-19. She did not have the standard symptoms.

"The girl tested positive for COVID-19 in March after complaining of a headache and later developed a rare form of meningitis and brain swelling. She died on Sunday at Royal Oak Beaumont after spending two weeks on a ventilator."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/detroit-girl-5-dies-of-covid-19-shes-michigans-youngest-victim/ar-BB12UNwt?li=BBnb7Kz

It could just as easily have been a child here in Africa.

The good news in The Gambia is that the 10th case just announced is someone who came into the country from the UAE. The bad news is they entered the country March 20, a full month ago, and was tested twice and showed no signs, but has now tested positive.

Scientists have consistently made clear the 14 days is a guideline and that the virus may take longer to appear.

Meanwhile two Gambians have died in the USA and one in the UK.

Skylar Herbert, 5, of Detroit, died of COVID-19 on Sunday after spending two weeks on a ventilator. She is Michigan's first child to die of the virus.

17/04/2020

From The point newspaper:

Two adult female Gambians who were living in the United States are reported dead of covid-19 on Tuesday.

The two Gambians stayed in New York, the epicentre of the coronavirus in the United States of America.

The deadly novel coronavirus pandemic has affected more than two million people globally including The Gambia.

Saikou Ceesay, the communication officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad confirmed the development to The Point, saying “the two Gambians succumbed to death on Tuesday as a result of covid-19.”

He added: “Gambian communities currently living in the U.S. especially in New York and other states are badly affected by the pandemic for the fact that most of them are out of job currently as a result of the lockdown in U.S.A.”

http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/2-gambians-die-of-covid-19-in-us

Two adult female Gambians who were living in the United States are reported dead of covid-19 on Tuesday. The two Gambians stayed in New York, the...

16/04/2020

Over 100 Swedish to be airlifted from Gambia.

Great news.

Speaking as a European, my feeling is any Europeans here in The Gambia not actively supporting the local community in some meaningful way should be asked to leave, so that Gambian health services are used for Gambians if the need arises.

https://standard.gm/over-100-swedish-to-be-airlifted-from-gambia/

By Momodou Justice Darboe

16/04/2020

Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia maintains group prayer suspension for Ramadan.

Muslims will only be permitted to pray at home in Saudi Arabia during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi minister of Islamic affairs announced on Monday. This will remain the case until the coronavirus pandemic ends worldwide.

Since 19 March, group prayers at mosques have been suspended in an attempt to contain the outbreak, a measure set to continue according to the minister, Abdul Lateef al-Sheikh.

Sheikh said the daily obligatory prayers observed by Muslims are more important than taraweeh prayers in Ramadan, adding that the instructions to stay home were in line with advice from the health ministry.

“The suspension of performing the five daily prayers at mosques is more important than the suspension of taraweeh prayers. We ask Allah the Almighty to accept taraweeh prayers whether held at mosques, or homes, which we think is better for people’s health,” Sheikh told local media.

Curfew extended

The Saudi authorities on Sunday extended a curfew until further notice due to a surge in new infections. The kingdom was originally placed under a 21-day curfew, from 7pm to 6am.

Last week Saudi Arabia put its capital Riyadh and other big cities under a 24-hour curfew, locking down much of the population.

Since then, Saudi Arabia has reported more than 300 new cases per day. Residents are only permitted to leave for essential needs and violators face fines and jail time.

The interior ministry has also announced new permits for vital personnel to move around.

Saudi Arabia has recorded 4,934 infections with 65 deaths, the highest among the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, where the total neared 14,100 with 96 deaths.

The Saudi government has warned as many as 200,000 cases could be recorded in the coming weeks.

Riyadh has halted international passenger flights, suspended the year-round Umrah pilgrimage, and closed most public places. Meanwhile pilgrims intending to visit the kingdom for Hajj have been asked to put their plans on hold.

Ramadan under lockdown

The holy month of Ramadan, which is scheduled to begin on or around 23 April, will look very different this year for Muslims around the world.

It is obligatory for Muslims to fast every day, abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

Ramadan is a very communal festival but this year gatherings will be prohibited worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Iftar - literally translated as “breaking the fast” - is a highly anticipated meal often shared with extended family, and friends.

Every evening during Ramadan, extended prayers, called taraweeh, take place in mosques around the world. These communal acts of worship are held in the belief that there is greater reward for prayers made in congregation.

Mosques fill with worshippers during this time: the more popular venues are filled to overflowing, with the faithful following prayers from the courtyard and surrounding streets.

This year many mosques will offer online alternatives, such as video conference platforms or live streaming, as a substitute for the centuries-old tradition.

On 27 February, Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended travel to the country’s holiest sites amid fears it would encourage spread of the coronavirus, leaving travel agents to scramble around and rearrange bookings. Many pilgrims have simply cancelled their trips.

Earlier this month, Mecca’s Grand Mosque was emptied and cleaned to safeguard against the spread of the virus.

http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/coronavirus-saudi-arabia-maintains-group-prayer-suspension-for-ramadan

Muslims will only be permitted to pray at home in Saudi Arabia during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi minister of Islamic affairs...

04/04/2020

The coronavirus killed 1,500 in the USA in the past 24 hours. One death every minute if the day.

It will be even worse tomorrow.

Why? Because when it first arrived in the country Americans - led by Donald Trump - didn't take it seriously. In February Trump famously claimed "We only have 5 cases. It will all be over by April." Now it's too late.

In the UK 700 died in one day. One ever two minutes. It will be worse tomorrow.

Why? Because when it first arrived in the country Brits - led by Boris Johnson - didn't take it seriously. Now it's too late.

In The Gambia we have only seen 4 cases so far. Keep it that way. Stay at home, wash hands, keep distance from friends and neighbours.

And take no notice of the idiots and racists who say this is a white man's disease and Africans are somehow immune.

There are 105 dead in Algeria, 66 in Egypt, 16 in Burkina Faso, 9 in Cameroon.

The numbers are so small right now because the virus arrived late in Africa.

We can keep those numbers low by playing safe and observing the rules of the State of Emergency.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/medical/coronavirus-nearly-1500-americans-killed-in-24-hours-the-worst-single-day-death-surge-in-the-world/ar-BB129fZx?li=BBoPWjQ

Coronavirus: Nearly 1,500 Americans killed in 24 hours, the worst single-day death surge in the world

29/03/2020

No surprise at all to see that even after President Adama Barrow declared a state of emergency and ordered all mosques to be closed, people are still attending the local mosques.

ILLEGAL. IRRESPONSIBLE. DANGEROUS.

In Spain and Italy people are dying at the rate of one every two minutes. They have some of the best health care in the world.

Barrow should order the police to visit all mosques that think they are above the law and arrest those who are putting lives at risk through their selfish actions.

26/03/2020

Gambian traders urged to comply with ECEPR 2020 or face the courts.

http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/traders-urged-to-comply-with-ecepr-2020-or-face-the-court

All traders within The Gambia are urged to confine themselves within the limits of the Essential Commodities Emergency Powers Regulations, 2020 or...