KPress Vol. 21 Iss. 03
Jaynes, Bill (2021-02-03). KPress Vol. 21 Iss. 03 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:IN2BTGHC.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 21 Iss. 03: NEWS coverage reports the World Health Organization’s declaration that the Federated States of Micronesia is again COVID-19 free after determining the MS Chief Mailo case to be historical and non-contagious, including public statements by President David W. Panuelo and correspondence with Pohnpei Governor Reed B. Oliver regarding quarantine, disembarkation, and public concern; national government action to reimburse withheld taxes from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance payments following a presidential veto and subsequent congressional override, with explanations from the Ways and Means Committee and Secretary of Justice Joses Gallen; detailed reporting on the rollout of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in Pohnpei, including eligibility criteria, public confusion over access, statements by health officials such as Dr. Rally Jim, vaccination numbers by state, and debate over prioritization and transparency; presidential direction to develop a national FSM Building Code through the Department of Transportation, Communication, and Infrastructure under Secretary Carlson D. Apis, with state participation requested from Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae and links to stalled infrastructure projects; Pohnpei State government receipt of four new school buses, with remarks by Governor Oliver, Lt. Governor Feliciano Perman, and Department of Education officials on transportation capacity and maintenance; European Union, WHO, WFP, and Pacific Community agreements to strengthen Pacific COVID-19 health responses, including funding amounts, participating countries, and remarks by Ambassador Sujiro Seam and Dr. Corinne Capuano; Micronesian Productions’ nationwide mask-sewing initiative funded by Canada and implemented through women’s councils in Kosrae, Yap, Chuuk, and Pohnpei; FSM participation in a Green Climate Fund virtual workshop led by National Designated Authority Secretary Eugene Amor focused on climate-proofing road infrastructure; College of Micronesia–FSM developments including Chinese Embassy donations of learning materials and aquaculture training opportunities; Pohnpei Education Day ceremonies across municipalities featuring remarks by Governor Oliver, legislators such as Senator Souster Edgar, education officials, and municipal leaders. OPINION / EDITORIAL content includes commentary by U.S. Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor on FSM–U.S. cooperation against COVID-19 and vaccine support, and an Australia Day essay by Ambassador Joanne Cowley outlining Australia’s climate policy, bushfire response, reef protection, and climate finance commitments affecting Pacific partners.
