Skylar and VJ jailed after appeal
(CNS): Skylar Mack (18), who is a medical student in the US, and local competitive Jet Ski rider Vanjae “VJ” Ramgeet (24) have both been sent to jail for four months for breaching isolation rules. In court on Tuesday, Justice Roger Chapple overturned the community service handed to the couple by a magistrate last week, having taken into account the message legislators sent when they significantly increased the sentences recently, as well as the sacrifice the community had made to keep Cayman free of COVID-19.
Government appealed a sentence of 40 hours community service that was given to the couple by Magistrate Angelyn Hernandez, and the judge agreed the sentence was unduly lenient.
The judge said that Mack had committed a planned, selfish act and there was no alternative to a custodial sentence, despite her age, good character, admissions and her circumstances. He added that Ramgeet was older and should have known better when he assisted his girlfriend to attend the Jet Ski event where she was ultimately arrested.
Mack had spent some seven hours mingling with the public after arriving from the US just two days before. The court also noted that she had complained about her iMsafe wristband being too tight and government officials had come to her isolation residence and re-fitted it, enabling her to slip it off and attend the Jet Ski competition held in South Sound, which resulted in four families having to go into isolation after the event.
Justice Chapple was clearly concerned about imposing a custodial sentence on young people with no previous convictions but said he was paying close attention to the message of deterrent needed to protect Cayman’s enviable position of being free of the virus.
Starting at 15 months because of the aggravating circumstances, he reduced the time to four months due to the mitigating circumstances and the couple’s guilty pleas.
Visibly distraught by the decision, the couple were remanded immediately. Though it is unlikely that they will serve the full four months, they will almost certainly be spending the holidays in HMP Fairbanks and HMP Northward respectively.
It never ceases to amaze me that “wealthy Americans ” think they can throw around their money and get away with whatever they want…and everyone else just has to deal with whatever mess is left in their wake. You “threaten” to take your money elsewhere. Fine! I’m sure there are plenty of other people who will be glad to know that you and your virus-tainted money will not be in the Caymans…so they will he free to safely vacation there. It is just like “wealthy Americans ” to think that somehow, the countries they choose to visit should be kissing their feet and bending over backwards for them. You give the rest of us Americans a bad name.
1. She was not tested NEGATIVE because she didn’t sit her 14 days.She was pretested before entering and then tested again after entering the Cayman Islands. Even the US requires a 14 day quarantine and different states enforce fines or jail time or BOTH.
2. Ms. Mack has headlines but any educated fool can bring up a search engine and see that many countries, UK, EU or US state has dealt with their own breaches (even recently) not unlike the Cayman Island. Go do so.
Many should be ashamed for their responses to this article.
Blatant racist accusations going both ways shows severe immaturity in the posters.
If your only argument is to cry out “ouch” and “racism” whether you are an American citizen or Caymanian people then you have no due giving your two cents in a public post where actual critical thinking individuals can offer their opinions without being so shallow minded that they become irate to the point of rabid mouth foaming when challenged.
Step out of your boxes and use that time online to see that this article is nothing new or special regarding the Covid19 quarantine breaches and neither is your puffed up posturing.
Perhaps some individuals are in need of a beach day themselves to revert from animalistic snarling online and gain more civility.
Margarita in hand.
AFTER sitting your bedamned 14 day quarantine, mind you.
For those lucky enough to be near a beach already, off with you.
Poor Skyler the only reason that she is the one that’s getting this punishment is because she’s an American and people hate Americans with a Passion The Cayman Islands are very well known for being racist or biased against Americans And another thing that really bothers me is all these hateful people like what had Skyler ever do to you She was in prison for a minor offense but yet they allowed Canadians and all other people to break these laws and have no consequence they are biased against Americans you know it’s really sad that Christ sacrificed himself for all these hateful people that don’t deserve his salvation or his sacrifice you’re all saying that she deserved it but if that was your daughter you would be saying something else you’re all hypocrites you lack compassion empathy or sympathy and that makes you terrible human beings When it comes to acting like Christ you all failVery few of you have shown any compassion for this girl and her grieving family during Christmas Personally I think that the Cayman Islands are acting like neo nazis sympathizers that did things to the Jews they threw people in prison for were such minor offenses especially the fact that they did it to an American The judge and Prosecutor are mentally unfit to enforce the laws they are hateful sinful and they will be judged for these actions they are not doing what God wants what Christ sacrificed himself for why are you also hateful Mike did the devil getting every single one of you Has the devil taken all of your souls because your acting like such hateful human being such deplorable behavior And hatred for a girl that’s scared to death and afraid that she’s never going to get to go home now put yourself in that situation for a minute and be sympathetic to What she’s going through A minor offense And I might add that covid 19 Has a 99% survival rate with a 1% chance of death that makes these restrictions absolutely ludicrous People have allowed this virus to make humans hateful They’ve allowed their souls to be taken away they have allowed their humanity to fade we are all brothers and sisters and I don’t recognize any of you hateful humans I don’t know what happened to my fellow brothers and sisters but they certainly have become hope cold hearted human beings that I don’t recognize any more thats all I have to say about all this
People like you are the epitome of stupid. Those who defend blatantly selfish, arrogant, guilty parties who cry crocodile tears when they get caught committing their crimes. They both should have gotten they full 15-months sentence. I hope she is NEVER allowed to work in the medical field. She has shown a total lack of ethics, morals, and good judgement.
Why didn’t y’all just shoot her? I bet you’d justify that too.
Let’s see… you think she might be infectious, right? So her punishment is to lock her up in a prison in close quarters with others?
Are you wanting to piss off tourists? Because this is how you piss off tourists, and their $$$ go away.
I would bet that since your economy is primarily based on tourism (except for the whole sketchy banking thing) that the majority of your citizens depend on funding from tourism service. Which, of course, is pretty much non-existent.
You all realize that you are effectively cutting your own throats, right?
The correct response would have been a hefty fine, immediate deportation, and banishment from returning.
Prison? You gotta be kidding me. Excellent display of contempt of the hand that feeds you.
Enjoy poverty.
Just have the Cayman Islands revoke her passport, PNG her and send her back to the USA. If the Cayman Islands refuses, then declare the islands as not friendly to American interests. That should do wonders to their banking industry.
Typical entitled american response. No respect. Big mouth. Think you can bully your way out of anything. Meanwhile the usa is the big virus in the world because of your attitudes.
China spread the virus you clown
and she was pre tested negative just prior to arriving …
Skylar was only reported because her boyfriend won the jetski race
Canadians break quarantine and you look the other way .
Americans BUY your lunch .. chump
So many things to pick up on. Tested negative on arrival..not pre-test, 100% chance of a negative if you’ve just been infected through travel, which is why you have to do 14 days in isolation. If you test positive on arrival you’ve had it long enough to be infectious. The Canadians who broke the law were dealt under the then current law – it was changed between the Canadians and Skylar. No she and her BF were reported because they broke the law, conspired to break the law, and even had their tags loosened so it was easier to break the law.
News flash…we don’t know that this coronavirus started in China! The “Spanish Flu” that was the global 1918-1920 pandemic started in the US and shipped to Europe with the US military. Spain reported on it first, so it was coined as the “Spanish Flu”. You are the only “clown” here. Fact: you can be asymptotic and be contagious while testing negative for days. They put an island nation at risk with their selfish, childish, criminal acts. They are a embarrassment to all Americans and she, as a medical student, is a disgrace to those in the medical profession.
As an American, I agree. She decided not to respect your local laws and customs. When one is a guest in another’s house, one respects the rules. When a guest in another country, one does the same!
Plenty of respect, but respect for the USA, which the democrats have none of, very typical of. Maybe if you knew what being PNG meant then you would also would know that she would not be getting off scot free.
I am amazed by the new found generation of racist caymanains
Nothing to do with racism, the Cayman Islands made the required sacrifices to protect their people (meanwhile other people were chanting their right to have a hair cut and fighting at Walmart). Imagine going to someone’s house, blatantly disrespecting their rules, putting your dirty shoes on the sofa and ultimately acting surprised your bratty actions have consequences? Nonsensical, selfish and entitled.
Agree. Nothing racist about it.
They’re misogynistic in Cayman. But not racist.
Now if he boyfriend had decided to give her a couple of bitch slaps on the beach instead then he’d be at home right now instead of a cell.
Cayman. Where beating up women is worthy of a lesser sentence than going to the beach despite a negative Covid test.
God help you. You’ll need it. A tourism industry ravaged by Covid and yet you seem intent on sending a message to all wealthy Americans that they’re not welcome.
Well done. I always knew you guys were backwards and a bit thick out on the islands but I’d underestimated by how much.
We’ve already cancelled our Cayman vacation in late 2021. Bermuda will be getting our dollars this year.
The “wealthy Americans” you mentioned are exactly the spoiled brats who should be treated this way when their money makes them think they are above the law. They are not. China didn’t spread this virus…the “wealthy” did. Taking the corona virus on their ski trips and to their business conventions. What will you do when the rest of the world realizes that your “wealthy American dollars” aren’t worth the costs associated with you spreading this virus to their nations?
She should be banned from the Caymans for life, medical schools won’t accept her after this (unless her dad’s pays cash which I’m sure he will given that he clearly has money…). Spoiled rich kid did not take others into consideration over bit. This is a huge life lesson for her and boy does she need it! It’s harsh, but in this case, harsh is necessary. A slap on the wrist and she’s doing it again in a month.
I’d like to see what your background is internet warrior. Please send your real name and DON so we can do a through check of your holy life.
A Presidential Pardon might be a good idea. But she is intending to be a doctor! Maybe she could apologize on TV for not using sound medical reasoning in going on the date. Then she could be pardoned and sent back to USA.
You think presidential pardons work in other countries? Where do you learn that, trump university?
Any person who claims they want to be a doctor abd engages in flagrant and malicious disregard for the rules that protect the health and lives of others, should not be a doctor. I am a former medical malpractice trial lawyer who represented and defended doctors in wrongful death law suits and there is no way I would ever represent a person so selfish. There has to be zero tolerance for such bad attitudes as hers. It’s not like that woman did not know that America had the worse death toll from Covid 19 and that people of color die disproportionately from it. She knew she was on a Island that the residents are mainly people of color who die from that disease. She needs to be in jail for the entire 12 months that the law required abd she should never be a doctor. He actions demonstrate she cares nothing about the lives of people and in particular the lives of Black and Brown people. By the way, my brother is serving 21 years in jail for a non-violent crime he committe d that did not in valve drugs. His prison sentence was way disproportionate. The fact that she thinks she should not pay a huge price for endangering lives demonstrates she should be in jail long and not be a doctor. More deaths in the US happen at the hands of doctors because of their status. Its obvious she will use her status to get away with hurting others. This is why America got a Trump for president becuase we let people with status get away with crimes and we over incarcerate the Black and poor. Shame on her for not accepting the responsibility of her crime knowing that Blacks in America are over incarcerated. She should look for another career. she should not be any ones doctor. I am not saying she cannot learn from this incident which I hope she will. But if she wants to help people, there are many of jobs that she csn do that do not give her the power to possibly cause the death oth others. Her choosing to endanger others shows that she cannot handle that power with any level of consideration for others. Also, the fact that she did what she did tells me she has gotten away with other bad acts abd never got punished so she would never do what she did. Wake up people!!! We can’t let people with status continue to not be held accountable for their actions.
Presidential pardon for being an entitled ass???? Rescue due to might be a doctor someday…..by The way..premed is a catchall lhrase until later in college….?, or cause she is a cute little blond girl crying after deliberate flaunting of laws?,, don’t want her as my doctor when she has ignored a pandemic for her own pleasure.
Are u guys kidding>? arrest for seeing her. boyfriend. No way is that fair!
she quarantine and she has a negative result. she is fine. why isn’t United States doing it and arresting people?
Have you seen the rate of COVID infections in the USA? Cayman is trying to protect its citizens.
Then why, in the picture accompanying the article, isf Skylar in mask and cuffs being led away by a cop wearing no mask?
Rules are for peasants.
They police are not wearing masks because there are no local cases in the Caymans; that’s the point of imposing this sentence, to send a message. I’m sure you don’t complain this hard when non-white people are arrested for breaking the law.
Because the cop is a Cayman Islands resident and there is no Covid19 there because of their strict rules.
Because the Cayman’s is Covid free. The person that is at risk of spreading the disease is the detainee, not the Cayman officer.
Because the island is Covid free. And they want to keep it that way. Since it’s Covid free no one has to wear a mask.
You’re a special kind of stupid aren’t you?
Because she has not quarantined for 14 days so she could be contagious.
Cayman Islands is not a hotspot and has few Covid19 cases so the officer is not required to wear one. Remember, the mask to prevent YOU from spreading it.
Yes, why isn’t the US also arresting its lawbreakers? Answer: Because it’s a shithole country run by MAGAots and their racist cult followers. Good on that judge and the Cayman Islands.
you sound racist
News Flash! Being a MAGA supporter is not a race, dude. 🙄
Yes, because racism started in the States three years ago and will end in a month. There are none so blind…
OK understand well if Cayman islanders show up here in the US I will watch them like a hawk in as soon as they do will something wrong I’ll be the whistle blower to make sure that they end up in prison for revenge for what they did to an American citizen and I hope they throw the whole book At him I don’t know about fellow Americans I think that came and islanders are not welcome in the United States anymore and they will not get a friendly welcome from me if anything They will be met with confrontation And they will treat them As unwelcome guests
Idiot.
Potentially putting many innocent people at risk of losing their lives or getting sick is what she is in trouble for, not just seeing her boyfriend – ya simpleton! Leave the “it’s not FAIRs” to the five year olds.
She had a negative result at the beginning of 14 days. Another test was supposed to be given after the two weeks, which is what she refused to comply with. You’re probably ok with the 300,000+ dead too.
The quarantine for this island nation is 14-days and she only did 2 days before illegally removing her tracking device and sneaking out to a crowded event putting EVERYONE she had contact with at risk. She could have caught it from someone on the plane ride…it wouldn’t have shown up yet, but she could have been carrying and already shedding the virus. That is why adhering to the full time of the quarantine is vital to preventing the spread of the virus. She and her boyfriend planned and executed these crimes that were beyond disrespectful to the Cayman Islands. This showed complete disregard for all of those who attended this event and could potentially take the virus back their respective families/countries as a result if their selfish, criminal acts.
duh not un usa you need to follow the laws. they told you what was expected DO IT now stop whining and start serving your time.
Funny how most comments are bashing the country that imposed the sentence. Very little about these two people breaking the county’s law. They need to take personal responsibility for there actions. This will set the tone for others thinking about breaking there law.
Nah, we’re bashing the country for an overhanded and ridiculously harsh response.
Which, of course, they have an absolute right to impose. However, they also are responsible for bearing the reputation of being overly harsh.
This will ultimately cost them tourism $$$ which at this time they simply can not afford to lose.
This was pure stupidity on the part of the “justice” system.
The correct response would have been immediate banishment, plus a hefty fine.
Imposing a sentence, and AFTERWARDS making it more harsh was simply a perfect example of what a backwater, banana republic country the Caymans are. I bet nepotism and government corruption completely rules the roost there.
@Francis Cwirtz Nepotism and government corruption are no more prevalent in the Cayman Islands than they are in YOUR country. Oh sorry, I forgot. Your country drained the swamp 4 years ago, so ya’ll are good now. SMH.
This is proof-positive the world has gone mad. What’s worse is that completely-inane verdict has ZERO basis in science. Headline should read: “Non-Infectious Couple Jailed for Refusing to Comply with Human Rights Violations”.
Science what’s that? Do they teach it in the Caymans?
Cayman Islands!
They apparently don’t teach it in a good portion of the United States, so why should they teach it here?
She admitted her guilt so what exactly are you defending her stupidity or her guiltiness? She got a lighter sentence than the standard for admitting guilt let it go you sound foolish yourself defending the indefensible.
You aren’t going to show up on a positive test for a few days. She was only in country for 2 days when she broke quarantine. The science says what she did is serious. Also, islands have more limited healthcare systems, they have to be way more cautious about disease outbreaks, 4 months is not enough time considering she had to knowingly remove a tracking bracelet and then used it to fake her location. She didn’t just walk outside or misunderstand any rules, she actively covered up an act she knew was criminal.
Excellent comment! What Covid has shown is the colossal amount of cowardice in the world. Yeah, Covid is dangerous to older people and those who have immunity issues. But for the rest, it’s about as much a risk as being struck by lightning. Suck it up and live with, grow a spine, don’t be afraid of your own shadow. It’s a shame four families have to quarantine, but that is an idiotic rule of the Cayman government’s own making. Blame the Cayman government, not Skylar.
CNS: Not wanting to be the cause of other people’s deaths or long-term illness, whatever their age or medical condition, is a normal human emotion and is the state of normal responsible people. What is really depressing is the number of people who apparently don’t care, which is selfishness to the point of sociopathy. If you want to feel brave, take up bungee jumping.
Excellent response, CNS 👏🏼
Sorry, what is it you want to blame the Cayman government for, exactly? The fact that the death rate from COVID is only 3 per 100,000 residents, vs 98 per 100K in the US? That Cayman residents can walk around without masks, etc., because the government took the virus seriously and took appropriate steps to prevent the spread? Yes, I would love to be able to blame my government and my fellow citizens for things like that.
“take up bungee jumping.”
Without a rope.
They are just extremely lucky that they didn’t have it. When someone recently contracts it or is asymptotic, you can’t tell by looking at them (or by taking their temperature) that they have the virus. Question for you: my dog gets bit by a bat and has to quarantined for 14 days because it might have rabies. I let it out to run around the neighborhood after two days. Is that okay in your book?
The fact that people are ok with people dying when they don’t have to boggles my mind. Considering Cayman has quite a large elderly with pre-existing conditions population, and you see that over 250000 dead in the US and 60000 in the UK, we see those numbers and are happy we aren’t burying our friends and family. Only 2 have died and we’d like to not see anymore die thank you. Especially as our strict measures have shown that if you do what is right, people won’t die needlessly.
I think us not having tourism is a good thing. It forces us to think outside the box to find new ways to support ourselves and not depend on what we now know can be a fickle industry.
It’s time for Cayman to diversify our economy and create new strengths
PEOPLE.COM
TRAVEL
American Teen and Boyfriend Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison for Breaking Quarantine in Cayman Islands
https://people.com/travel/american-woman-and-boyfriend-sentenced-to-4-months-in-cayman-islands-prison-for-quarantine-breach/
so just because she is American , she thinks she can come and break the rules with no punishment.
and now its making headlines news in the US.
should go to jail and also pay the penalty, regardless it says she was negative and after day 2 of arriving she decided to leave and attend the event.
doesn’t matter she still broke quarantine and didn’t wait the time she was suppose to.
now wanna cry and say im sorry?
Grandma saying she didn’t expect this , well what did you expect ah?
Has nothing to do with being from US…. It has all to do with being a spoiled brat…
I live in the states and this issue is very common with this generation. The court system was too kind to this IDIOT. She should have received four years and expelled for life. So selfish on her part.
it’s not the generation bruv, it’s the brainwashing of certain demographics about everything to do with covid, hence the staunch anti mask sentiment we have across the us
It appears that she used trickery to remove her wrist band device. This shows her motive. But of course that is not mentioned in the US news media.
I am American, I would expect a harsher punishment in another country due to that fact, not lighter. We are hated, by everyone. This girl was an idiot, least sympathetic person ever, even to Americans.
I’m American and I don’t have issues from being American when I travel abroad. Why? Because I don’t have that sh*tty attitude of arrogance that many Americans display when they travel. I follow the rules/laws/customs of wherever I am, and most importantly, I treat the locals like I would want to be treated and try to get to know them and their culture.
Our state department should not come to her rescue, regardless of how many talk shows her grandmother goes on, and pleads to trump.
“Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.”
The judiciary is supposed to be independent of the government. This is the cornerstone every functional first world democracy. I find the government’s meddling to overturn the original court decision troubling.
This is a obvious attempt to find a suitable (ie blonde, photogenic & american) scapegoat to distract the public from the fiscal mismanagement and nepotism/corruption of the current administration ahead of next year’s general election.
By reading the comments section it appears to have worked like a charm…
Seriously, that is what you deduced from this situation..
Why does everything have to be reduced to racist thoughts? This is not the United States? There are over 100 nationalities here from every corner of the world and all different colors.
What color is the Caymanian? Did he get a different sentence?
Stop with foolishness. Wrong is wrong and they knew exactly what they were doing.They admitted it and plead guilty.
So what was the governments insistence on prosecuting this particular case based on?
They seem to be fully capable of turning a blind when one their own assaults an expat service worker. But are happy to throw the book at an 18-year-old who are already tested negative for covid…
Who has turned a blind eye on McKeeva’s case? It is still in the courts. Let’s wait and see if they will put his ass in jail too.
I wouldn’t hold my breath…
The last investigation of a sitting politician’s wife for a quarantine breach with her PT was quietly shelved (despite her, somewhat brilliantly posting, it on social media)
Don’t forget the trainer and the dentist. Yet, they chose a child.
Don’t forget about numerous exemptions from quarantine.
Fairly certain she’s 18, and a current medical student. Certainly not a child, and someone who should’ve known better. She also showed intent by tricking authorities into loosening her wrist band so she could slip it off and attend the event.
That she tested negative is not the point. She had her wristband loosened so she could take it off. She knew what she was doing. She did the crime, she should do the time.
You can have a negative test. It depends how far into the virus one happens to be @ the time. I agree the intent to have the band loosened was to take it off. That in itself says she took it as a joke. Hope she learns something while incarcerated. They should close the country to both of them going forward.
She’s being made an example of, while the elected officials and authorities who make the rules continue to break the rules.
Do you not feel that the judiciary should be independent of the executive’s influence?
Statements like the ”sentence imposed by Magistrate Angelyn Hernandez was too lenient and did not adequately reflect the wishes of Parliament” contravene this basic principle. Setting a terrible precedent when the CIG tried to impose limits on your rights and freedoms that the CIG is trying to limit…
No, because judges impose sentences based on laws written by Parliament. If Parliament intended to have harsher penalties, it’s the job of the judiciary to enforce them. Since the sentence could’ve been much longer and was reduced from 15 months to 4 months, she should consider herself lucky.
Do you not feel that the judiciary should be independent of the executive’s influence?
Statements like the ”sentence imposed by Magistrate Angelyn Hernandez was too lenient and did not adequately reflect the wishes of Parliament” contravene this basic principle.
This sets a terrible precedent when the CIG tries to impose limits on your rights and freedoms.
Absolute rubbish!!
If this is all you can use to justify these two idiots committing the crime they did then you are grasping at straws.
To me, I would be more concerned as to whether or not Judge Angelyn Hernandez was conflicted in any way by the leniency of the original judgement.
Did you notice that they never even bothered apologizing until they knew their case was going to be appealed.
Unfortunately, for her, her daddy’s money and her Momma’s good looks couldn’t help her and as for him, well he is 24 a big grown ass man that knows better.
Exactly! Only in Cayman.
Waiting to see what the wishes of Parliament would be when it comes to sentencing Speaker.
FREE Skylar Mack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I deduce is that worryingly few seem to find issue with the selective application of the law…
This ^^^^
Or the fact that the sentence was amended to be much more harsh at the request of the prosecutor.
That is what EXACTLY I deduced from this situation (I am not 3:54 am).
Beautiful, young, blond American girl seem to become the easy target for Cayman “kind” hatred.
And I did, too, was wondering how CIG can interfere with judicial system.
It was Patric Moran, according to “People” article, who wasn’t satisfied with the sentence.
It took him a very long time though to charge Speaker with assaults.
Where was skin color mentioned in the original post?
Blonde, photogenic and American was meant as a juxtaposition to a frumpy, plain middle aged Canadian mother of 4 (for example). Which wouldn’t have made such a captivating, and useful, villain.
If you want to see this through the lens of race that reflects on your preconceptions not mine…
Been featured in the American media today:
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/video/american-teen-sentenced-months-prison-breaking-cayman-islands-74776961
Not a good luck and certainly not helpful to Caymans reputation and struggling tourism industry…
Cayman is known in the tourism sphere for great beaches and a safe environment so prosecuting people that jeopardize that safety in right in line with what we stand for. for those who see it as a bad look, there no shortage of cities elsewhere that’s racked with covid infections and death, pick one.
How about Barbados? When was the last time they had a death from Covid? They’ve been open for a while now…
Then she should have taken her stupid manipulative ass there. I cannot stand this type of privilege. Keep her ass in jail.
Yes because tourists need reassurance that they can drop their pants, squat and number 2 anywhere they feel like when they go on holiday.
And we the locals must accept it, and if we can open our mouths as wide as possible.
Right?
F the look. I hope it’s a wake up call. We don’t want trailer trash on our beaches.
Feel so sorry for the four families in quarantine
I feel sorry for the approx thousand people currently in quarantine who have already tested negative…
9:55 they had a choice not to come here. Feel sorry for you and you inability to understand incubation period.
that doesn’t matter! Follow the rules and don’t act as if you are entitled negative or positive. One can still be positive with covid and not show any symptoms and still transmit it.
I hate to see brilliant and skilled young people go down like this. (I don’t know these).
Will sending them to prison make Cayman any SAFER? NO!!!.
GOD ALMIGHTY is the one who has kept Cayman SAFE, based on all the FOOLISHNESS I saw and heard of during the Lockdown. NOT even 1 local death and very few critically ill.
This is all egotistic men killing our youths future talking about DETERRENT…Go round-up all the hard back white collar drug pushers and users as a Deterrent.
Adequately punish the perpetrators for youthful ignorance and stupidity, without giving them a criminal record.
People including those same lawmakers get away with BIGGER CRIMES here in Cayman. These crimes include not looking after the future of our youths.
Thank you GuidetheYouths, it is a relief to hear the voice of wisdom. The rest seem to precipitated into medieval age
is the security company who is so called guarding them gonna be charged for allowing them to leave. same security still thete racking in the dough doing nothing
How the hell does that exceptional opinion get 2x as many dislikes? This shows the contempt that Caymans feel for outsiders.
Cayman loves your money but hates you.
Keep that in mind when planning your vacation.
Dickie Doughnut, if we Caymanians are so bad. May I ask you what are you doing here ?, why don’t you leave and go back to your country if there is so great ?. Please answer the two questions
I love reading these comments- keeps me reminded of how many Caymanian hating expats live amongst us.
I think if you read the post carefully this was an expat hating on Caymanians. Just because the Caymanian responded doesn’t let Dickie of the hook.
I’m an expat living here and I love the Caymanian people. I believe, we expats sometimes think that we are living in our own country and not theirs.
Cayman and Caymanians have been good to me. I love this little island and I am so happy that I am here particularly during these times. I am originally from New York and as much as I love it there, I have lost 3 family members since covid began and to be here on this very safe and almost covid free island makes me very grateful to Cayman and it’s people for allowing me to be here.
There is an old saying that says “never bite the hand that feeds you.” Too many times, we expats don’t really know how well we have it here. Dickie, rather than coming on here and posting negative remarks about Caymanians, why not go out and meet a few, get to know them. Yes, there are a few that maybe as you speak but I have found the majority of Caymanians, warm, welcoming and caring people.
You need to listen to some of them that hate their own Caymanians that born and grew up in Cayman Brac. That’s another story!
That is so true. Some (not all) of them are real crabs in the barrel. They grew up in really backward circumstances that wasn’t their fault and came down here to back bite, undermine and become envious of Grand Cayman Islanders. They want everything we have, not knowing the hard work we did to get what we have.
“Skylar Mack (18), who is a medical student in the US”.
So, she graduated from HS at age 14 and is now in medical school after her 4 years of undergrad?
Not only that, but as a medical student, she should understand the science and not demonstrate such poor judgement.
I would never want her to my physician.
She went to the Caymans to see her bf and this competition during a global pandemic, which is out of control in her country due to idiots like her. She knew the Cayman quarantine requirements, ignored them out of privilege, lied to officials, had her tag loosened so she could take it off, then went to a big event with lots of people and put them at risk. Some of those people are now stuck in isolation. She could have started an outbreak, like others have done. She is an adult, a med student, knew the risks, but carefully planned this selfish act without regards for others. She is only hysterical because she got caught.
First off I’m in no way rejoicing for their downfall but in all truth what did they expect to happen?
Obviously they have no “connections” so that old saying “it’s not who you know, it’s who know you” didn’t make the cut for this duo! Oh well best of luck to them…Merry Christmas😁
She’s an entitled brat, so nothing. She didn’t expect to be held accountable as most Americans are now. And she’s from the state of Georgia which has allowed COVID just to run wild. Hospitals are full and no plans of restrictions.
I bet she voted for Trump!
Maybe if she believes in freedom
Maybe she should have stayed at home then.
She is an 18 year old medical student? I don’t believe that. She is probably a high school student
Hope none of you end up as her patient when she graduates. 18 years old make mistakes. She said sorry. There are more serious things to waste money on than this. Just leave it at that.
Merry Christmas one and all.
It wasn’t a mistake. A jointly planned exercise for the pathetic reason of a jetski
if she can’t tenure at a reputable hospital in America, I’m pretty sure she will join the other rejects here.
It’s not the law to wear a mask nor is there any need to in Cayman. Clearly you are not in Cayman. I expect she is wearing one because she’s in handcuffs.
We all hope so. Neither have been sentenced yet.
actually he has special needs, he should not be locked up he should be helped, he was only off island to attend a school that copes with his needs. Cayman has such terrible mental health care.
Please don’t always assume the worse this situation is very different
Lock him up.
Unfortunately, scumbags that rob people with even see one day in jail.
This sentence was 80% for deterrence and 20% for punishment. The rules were very clear, and they chose to brazenly ignore them. After two days on the island nonetheless.
Not a lot of sympathy for her. And she wont end up doing 4 full months in any event.
As the judge said, pure arrogance and selfishness, and not like this was a spur of the moment decision. She clearly intended to ignore the public safety measures here in advance of her arrival so she had several days to change her mind. She didnt. She didnt give a damn about anyone else but herself.
Anyone see the irony on a medical student violating a public health ordinance.
Sounds like lockdown island over there. Give up your freedom and do as the Gov’t tells you. The med student knows it’s a farce and tested before travel. Too bad the locals aren’t smart enough to see the game their Gov’t plays with their freedoms. I’ll be investing my vacation dollars elsewhere, having witnessed this entire island respectively bend over. BTW, you need tourists, otherwise sand is your GNP.
We are a lockdown, covid free island and proud of it. This is not about giving up our freedom. It is about protecting and keeping our people especially our most vulnerable alive.
As far as your vacation dollars, we understand that you want to take them elsewhere and we understand that but we are a very small island and someone like her, had she been positive would have wiped out many families and a good chunk of our population. Remember she just didn’t go to the beach she mingled amongst some 700 people, even holding a baby at one time..Imagine if that was your child or your grandmother and she was actually negative..We were very lucky that she tested negative but the damage that could have happened would have been irreparable had she been positive.
I travel to the United States and Canada at 5 times a year save for this one, and I always follow the rules and laws of each country and know that If I broke their laws, I know that I would have to accept my punishment. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Tbh, I would have been ok with just a fine and community service. This way will just end up costing CIG money as they have to expend money to keep them locked up.
Its all about deterrence. 4 months is pretty harsh tho.
The other banned quarantine breaking couple should have faced this, instead of that $2k slap on the wrist which that clown creature probably recouped on his first week back.
Deterrence should have started with those. They should have definitely known better, given their decades senior to this young couple. They should be arrested and any PR they have be revoked/reconsidered, as their feet hit the tarmac after the COVID ban is lifted. (They own property here, they’ll be back at some point I’m sure).
Sadly, the young ones are serving jail time as the proverbial Jack’s shirttails.
A lack of connections or large bank accounts gets you a pair of handcuffs in Cayman every time.
Dumb
They should be on a level playing field with personal trainers.
YES! The lovely Queen First Lady of Newlands should have gotten a jail term as well.
The response when he was asked that question was basically “how dare you even ask that question” followed by some odd non-Sequitur about a donkey.
Then oddly the investigation showed that there was nothing to see here.
One set of rules for the CIG cronies and the second set for everyone else. It’s disgusting…
They are very young
They were negative to start with
They apologized
They asked for forgiveness
They were fined and got community work
What else you blood thirsty Caymanians want? Jail time? Why? Because this is what North Korea does for similar “crimes”?
When you grant quarantine exemptions this makes even less sense. And who exactly is behind the appeal? Name? I hope he or she sleeps well at night.
When real crimes in cayman forgiven and no conviction recorded, this looks like a selective enforcement of laws. FREE these young people TODAY! They were excessively traumatized already!
The appeal was made by our government as they were unhappy with the original sentence.
Why her but not Canadian dentist?
Funny – they didnt do sh!t with Big Mac
So if I break the law and write a letter to the Cayman Public and ask for forgiveness, I should be let go with just a slap on the wrist??..
If you do the crime, be prepared to do the time. Looking for sympathy by apologizing the day before you go to court and intentionally putting everyone in Cayman in danger by breaking quarantine when you clearly knew the law and blatantly flaunted it by deliberately removing your wrist band deserves punishment..and they got theirs.
Can you imagine if the message sent was to come to Cayman, break the rules and just write a letter of apology and you can get away with any crime you do?
Got the approach all wrong.
I think you’d be better off saying you got wasted at the bar, don’t remember anything on account of remembering a family members passing / deny everything at all times and continue showing up to work like nothing happened.
Works like a charm from what I hear.
Caveat – need to be speaker of the house.
Maybe a public stoning, or perhaps burning at the stake , will be the only thing to satisfy these angry, hideous, Caymanian Zealots .
Cayman kind !! What a joke.
Oh Lord please save me from your followers.
Really Dickie?? she is going to jail for less than 4 months..Big, friggin deal!
She did the crime and she must do the time..They are not burning her at the stake or stoning her. She is going to a nice quiet prison at Fairbanks for a “time out” and if you know anything about Cayman prisons, she will be treated quite well.
If she wanted nicer facilities she could have stayed in her nice comfy home for the 14 days quarantine and none of this would have been an issue.
All of those things were taken into account when her sentence was reduced from fifteen months to four months. People want them to have a punishment that reflects the seriousness of the crime and is a proper deterrent. I wonder if there would be the same backlash if they came from a different socioeconomic background.
Also your comparison to North Korea is an insult to all the people who have been tortured or killed there.
Don’t like comparison to North Korea? Then don’t imprison people who wouldn’t be imprisoned anywhere else. You seem to like to show power over foreign women and let your male abusers get away with crimes.
Michelle Bouchardwould would not be convicted anywhere else-they had joint account.
Carol Ann McNeill Skorupan from Madison- she was never in possession of the suitcase with a gun. Delta Airlines took it upon themselves to send it to the Cayman Islands.
Skylar Mack was already punished with fine and community service. But, NO, someone has decided it was not enough, she is an easy target, lets make her a poster child.
12:49 pm, SHE WAS NOT FINED. She was only to pay for her Hotel isolation time. What you wanted ? Cayman tax payers to pay that for her too. We understand she was on the beach people for nearly 7 hours. She knew the law and she broke the law. Tell us what you wanted the law to do ?
Sorry. It is the Caymanian way to punish expats and then clap themselves on the back. As you can tell they are really into it. Expats are not as safe as they think they are here.
lmfaoooooo hear this guy… crying as an expat in a foreign country where expats are treated welllll above average. (if that were not the case so many of you wouldn’t be here 🙂 but anyway……….)
you reek of entitlement and privilege, just like miss mack here. the jail time will sit beautifully in her memories the next time she thinks she’s above the law 🙂
jailing over ridiculous covid mandates will cause a big rift.. the people will revolt..
Dude….. 320,000 people are dead and continuing to die of COVID in the USA. Caymans care for for each other. You should try the same!
Actually, the guy that invaded the IOM on a jet ski was also imprisoned. Forget the North Korea comparison, they both knew the rules, the penalties and were idiots.
Blonde Lives Matter
Seems a desperate family member is speaking.
What example would that make to others in quarantine if simply getting away with community work? Others would follow and break quarantine.
Indeed young age, but does not change the fact that this planned selfishness jeopardized what CI worked so hard for.
Whilst I also find the baying for punishment on here nasty and weird you clearly don’t know much about North Korea where prisoners are routinely put to death for minor crimes.
Blood thirsty Caymanians? Please go home.
Cayman has always had a problem with the attitude that it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission. This case is really showing the self entitlement of a younger persons in todays world who has been coddled and allowed to believe that consequences don’t relate to them. The law was broken and unfortunately regardless of a belief in their apology they will learn an important life lesson. This is not a petty crime but a crime that puts everyone in danger and perhaps lose their lives. Wake up young people there are always consequences
Why are you making this a Caymanian versus Expats issue?… This is a law issues and the law is applicable to all, no one should be above the law!
Their CRIME was riddled with premeditated deceit, manipulation, complete disrespect for the law, and obvious disdain for everyone at that event–not just the Cayman people. They put at risk everyone else who honored the quarantine in order to attend that event. The only thing they are “sorry” about is that they got caught.
It is appalling that you compare their punishment to North Korea. You are completely clueless. Watch one of the many interviews with Yeonmi Park and you may be able to grasp how completely insensitive and ignorant you are for making that delusional comparison.
So a PRECEDENT has now been set. Let’s see if my fellow Caymanians will get the same sentence for breaking quarantine.
One of our fellow Caymanians just did.
I mean, VJ is Caymanian so…technically a fellow caymanian just did still.
This is so “heavy handed”!…Why not 10K, and 15 days(equivalent to the quarantine period that was not observed)in jail?
DETERRENCE. It works. It should be used much much more.
As Robert Mugabe said, used much more, against Caymanians as well, if they are ever caught.