PLAIN ENGLISH
Maureen N. Maratita
Thank you to the two readers who liked the item on inclusive language aimed at avoiding non-binary or gender discrimination in the Plain English of Feb. 1. The English language is indeed full of options. …
If there isn’t a definition you approve of, feel free to invent one. If enough people like it and begin using it, you may find it featured as a Word of the Year.
My favorite for 2020 was the Macquarie Dictionary’s “doomscrolling.” Oh, the hours we all spent doomscrolling — checking what was happening with COVID-19, the U.S. elections, relief funding and more. …
As our economy opens up in Guam, I have noticed a certain etiquette in Guam regarding meetings and/or lunch invites. Business lunches are back on calendars. At some point, vaccination is mentioned — as in “I’ve had my first/my second shot.”
There is clearly a certain satisfaction in being able to say that. My relatives and friends are incredulous at the speed and determination with which the islands are vaccinating their residents. (Me too) …
I woke up one morning to 50 notifications on Linkedin. Did something extraordinary happen out there?
No, it was the serial poster again. Most of it. Ai adai. Less is definitely more. My eyes glazed over as I speed-scrolled through the posts as the serial poster over-shared.
I like Linkedin. It’s good to hear what’s happening in my groups and with contacts. I was pleased to learn that Mark Sullivan (formerly of DFS) and Herman Erlich (formerly of Hilton) are gainfully and freshly appointed in retail and hospitality respectively. I know people in the islands who use Linkedin as a form of Facebook, but it’s really best for sharing ideas and information, whether you have met the people or not. …
The IATA March 2 media briefing (crystal clear all the way from Geneva) had good news. “The cargo business has seen volumes recover to pre-crisis levels in January this year,” said IATA’s chief economist.
But really the major news was about the COVID Travel Pass. That’s what you’ll carry with you, according to the International Air Transport Association, which carries the weight of 265 members. IATA said in the briefing that its travel pass will be ready in weeks. If uploading proof of vaccination on the IATA app is what it takes to travel or enter a country, you can be sure we’ll all do that. The IATA pass will be available on iOS and Android platforms and “is expected to be free for passengers.” Maybe your medical provider will charge you for that all-important certificate, by the way, but we’re so used to add-ons when we travel, even that will be palatable, though IATA said, “This can’t be a commercial solution.”
IATA said its app can work with others being trialed, which is just as well. The European Union is now prepping its own version, as is the World Health Organization, United Airlines — which also told the Journal it is looking at compatibility and I forget which other organizations.
Of-course, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to avoid the unpleasant nasal swab, but there are some people that would definitely prefer that to say, turbulence.
Perhaps we should ask IATA to step into Brexit, regional tensions, the Congressional debate on the stimulus package and more — their executives made everything sound possible. …
— Maureen N. Maratita is the publisher at Glimpses Media. Publications at Glimpses Media include the Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, The Real Estate Journal, Guam Business Magazine, Beach Road Magazine, Buenas and Drive Guam.
