Health
Authorities Fear Dengue Deaths This Year
Authorities feel that they haven't done enough to well
inform the population over Dengue and fatal results could occur,
unless everyone acts in time to eliminate the spread of the disease.
Last year there were 20.000 cases of Dengue registered, but non one
died.
Alerts have already gone out to the areas of Limón and Alajuela.
The danger is that the rainy season has been light so far this year,
yet, cases of Dengue have already been registered in those areas.
The Health Ministry is continuing it's campaign of education and
communication, especially in areas that could be most affected by
the Dengue. Their efforts will be centered on trying to stop the
Dengue at the source, and will enlist the help of private companies
as well.
EBI and Firestone have already announced that they will receive old
tires. In Limón, residents are being urged to wear bracelets with
mosquito repellants, especially protecting the ankles, to avoid
getting bitten by the Dengue carrying mosquitos.
Dr. Alberto Sáenz, director of the Caja Costarricense del Seguro
Social (CCSS) has promised that the poor residents of Limón will be
given the repellents at no cost.
Heredianos Protest to Force the CCSS For a Hospital
A group of Heredia residents - "Heredianos" - took to the
streets of Heredia on Saturday to force the Caja Costarricense del
Seguro Social (CCSS) to build a hospital in their province,
something that been promised to the residents of the area for some
time.
Dozens of Heredianos protested on the downtown streets of the "city
of flowers" to make residents aware at the government's lack of
action in fulfilling their promises to Heredia.
CCSS newly elected president Dr. Alberto Sáenz says that the plans
for the hospital are almost ready, however, legal, technical and
financial problems are yet to be resolved. Dr. Sáenz confirmed that
the government will complete it's promise in the shortest time
possible.
The CCSS has scheduled construction to begin in the first quarter
2006 and if it keeps to that plan it will save more than $1 Million
dollars.
No
Fine for Speeding Under 90KMH
Like to drive fast? Well, if you are driving at less that
90Kilometers per hour, no matter the speed limit, you will not be
fined.
The director of the transit police, Ignacio Sánchez, announced this
week that Transit officials will not be handing out tickets to
drivers who are speeding but don't exceed 90Kmh.
That is, if you travelling at less than 90Kmh in say a 40Kmh or
60Kmh zone, you will not be stopped.
The move is to reduce officers asking for bribes in lieu of a
speeding ticket. Many drivers are caught in low speed areas and are
being asked to make a contribution to the Transit officer's private
fund, rather than issuing the driver a ticket.
The fine for speeding varies from ˘5.000 to ˘20.000 colones,
however, a ˘2.000 contribution can usually get you home without the
ticket and the need to have to take time out to pay it.
Sánchez sent a letter to al Transit chiefs on June 29 advising of
the new police.
To defend his decision, Sánchez, says he has sufficient proof that
his officials sit in ambush to trap drivers in low speed areas
simply to extract a bribe. As well, the Transit Police only count
with 500 officers and it is best to utilize them in high risk areas,
rather than have them patrol areas where there is no real reason.
Innovative Tico
Product
Costa Rican firm Fideos Precosidos SA - identified
by its pasta trade name Vigui - was awarded the top honor by Innoval
2004, a prize established for the major innovations in the
international food industry.
The Tico manufacturer obtained the first prize with
pasta based on rice and with an ingredient that helps burning body
fat.
Also, the product does not contain gluten, which is
not tolerated by some people. Jorge Viquez, the firm's general
manager, admitted that there was strong competition for the prize at
the Food Fair 2004 in Mexico, where some 40 international companies
from the United States, Mexico, Spain, and other countries vied for
the prize.
Florida
Student Athletes to Travel to Costa Rica
Members of the Jupiter Christian School girls soccer and volleyball
teams are packing for the longest road trip of their lives.
Eight JCS soccer players and three volleyball players are leaving
Saturday for a combined week-long mission trip and sports tour of
Costa Rica before returning on July 24.
The girls will play a daily soccer game at different Costa Rican
schools and visit an orphanage where they'll give out school
supplies. They'll also conduct missionary sessions at the schools
they visit.
The JCS girls will be joined by other players from other East Coast
schools to make up full 12-player soccer and eight-player volleyball
teams for the trip.
A one-day practice is scheduled at Palm Beach Atlantic University in
West Palm Beach.
The tour was arranged by GOALL Sports Missions from West Palm Beach.
The girls will be accompanied by five adults from the school, said
Nancy Loud, who will be one of the adult chaperones. Also going are
JCS girls soccer coach Scott Loud, Eagles' volleyball coach Beth
Foland and parents Patty Embick and Donna White.
Others making the trip are soccer players Ashley Davis, Casie Moore,
Michelle Prevost, Sarah Foster, Deidre Kilduff and volleyball
players Lauren Kindig, Christine Kennedy and Holly Erneston.
This is pretty unique opportunity. The JCS girls get to go right
into the public schools. They will work with the Costa Rican
volleyball federation and Athletes in Action of Costa Rica, going
right into their regular school schedule.
In addition to soccer and schools, the girls will get some
sight-seeing opportunities. They'll go to the beach one day, visit a
volcano and shop in a market. They'll see a part of Costa Rica that
most tourists don't see.
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