The task ahead

 For those who think things are bad now in Jamaica now, in my book, the real tragedy lies ahead when the lack of foreign exchange earnings start to be felt. Naturally, without foreign exchange, imports on which we depend so much, are going to get super-expensive.  

So far, it is the poor and small business people who have been bearing the brunt of the severe economic measures put in place to try to keep that terrible virus under control. But soon, they will cause stress on thousands more.

In retrospect, it was bad that  Jamaica followed the western world and locked down the economy. I am not blaming the government, for so little was known about the virus in the initial stages, that we did not know where to turn. 

Taiwan however took a chance and won. They, with 25 million people, did not lock down but stringently monitored those who were positive and tracked who they came in contact with. By inflicting severe punishments on those who were quarantined, they inconvenienced around 1/4 million of their population for the benefit of the other 24.5 million. And guess what, their economy remained open and  robust and only 10 people died! Sweden tried that the model but their success was not as outstanding. 

Where Jamaica fell down was in locking down the place for too long and being very lax in their enforcement of the rules that cut the spread of the virus. But what's new? Jamaica's problem with crime, justice, social issues and everything else for that matter, has always been, that we fall down in the area of enforcement. Look at how we are quick to prosecute the poor and dispossed, but the rich and well-heeled can break all the rules and have all the covid-spreading parties while the authorities look the other way. You notice too how Bolt has been singled out though? Poor fellow, with all his money and world-wide fame, he just can't make it into the Jamaican uptown circles! 

But I am not going there today. 

What really perturbs me is the fact of those who had little or no savings are now on the verge of starvation, due to the lockdown, which some would happily resurrect!. And I am sure, as savings vanish, many thouands more may soon join that group. For according to the World Bank, as a result of this virus, remittances around the world will fall by 20% this year. 

Already, a recent study conducted by UNICEF and the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) found that eight in every 10 households suffered income losses. On average, families lost 46 per cent of income, while lower-income households suffered a 49 per cent loss.This has caused a significiant number to have to get by on one , two or no meals per day. 

The well heeled who would keep the country locked down, need to spend a few seconds letting that sink in. Remember too, that more than 130,000 families across the island are already registered with PATH.

Even so, the Capri study found that some 10% did not think they could send their children back to school. How concerning must that be for all of us?

Also, what about the psychological illnesses and possible suicides that will occur from depression and hopelessness?

That is just the tip of our iceberg, for we have yet to see the impact of the fallout in tourism. And incidentially, while some people would like to blame tourists for the increase in covid cases in the island, that is not at all true. For it has been the yardies (living here and abroad) who have been ignoring the quarantine rules and preventative measures.

With the exuberance from the election, things appear to be going pretty well now, but are we really prepared to face the serious  challenges ahead?

I fear not, for according to an article in the Daily Gleaner of Septmber 11, 2020 ; "As Jamaica continues to lose millions of dollars to destinations such as Cancun and Riviera Maya, Mexico, some of the country’s top-producing travel agents have accused the Government of rejecting tourists. The agents, part of the Jamaica Travel Specialist group that boasts more than 8,000 members, vented their frustration on social media Thursday morning, warning that they would not send their clients here until the travel authorisation is done away with. The test is no big deal, so the authorisation process is what the determining factor is here. I can’t support a tourism industry that is doing everything they can to delay tourism. It’s pretty clear they are not wanting tourists,” Hannah Cote wrote online on Thursday morning.

Since August, two months after the island reopened its doors for tourism, complaints have not ceased. People who book both flights and accommodation have expressed difficulties getting landing approval here. Families have been separated as the system rejects some members and accepts others."

Can the country and those on the fringes really endure such a lackadasical approach to the economic well-being of the country much longer?

Return to Epcot

The first time I went to Disney's Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, (Epcot), I think it was the one in California, was probably more than 35 years ago, but I had always wanted to go back. The problem was, each time I went to a Disney theme park, it was always with kids who loved superheroes, exciting rides, princesses, and cartoon characters. No one wanted to go to the Epcot theme park as either they complained they did not have enough time, they were tired or it just was not exciting enough. So it was always a Disney vacation minus Epcot. 

Well out of evil cometh good, for as I saw that they had a soft opening in Orlando after the long lock-down due to coronavirus, I thought I should take it in before it became too crowded. And it wasn't in September 2020.

When my granddaughter informed me that she wanted to visit me in December and go to Disney, I knew I had to move up my decision for I knew once we got there, Epcot would be out. To avoid any crowd, I decided to go right after the schools opened in Florida. It was the perfect decision and I am so happy I returned,  for it is really a fascinating and educational experience, far better than I remembered. 

Every attraction was a slam dunk except when I went to do the ride through the Alps to see the set of 'Frozen.' Then there was quite a line. It wasn't all that long but you have to remember the 6 feet apart system. So it wasn't that long a line, but it took the longest to get it.  It was worth the wait though, as was every exhibit in fact. Luckily I had checked the weather before I drove up to Orlando and took my plastic mac in my backpack, so when the heavy showers came down, I just strolled in the rain, feeling like a kid again. 

As there was a celebration of wine and food that week, many countries participated showcasing the best of their foods and attractions. I liked the China and Canadian displays the best and loved the Mexican mariachi band. I was fascinated by the exhibit on our relationship with the land, scientific advances in agriculture, soaring through the world, (a bit scary at first), spaceship earth, and in fact, just everything. It was so fascinating and interesting, that only when I was leaving that I realized I had been there from 11 am to 5pm.

As usual, I forgot where I parked and it was a bit scary for a while as I kept going around in circles for about 20 minutes before finding my car.😓

Leaving, I wondered how I had stayed away so long and resolved to go back again soon.

                                                OTHER PHOTOS FROM EPCOT

                            Elsa from Frozen rides in her carriage

Jamaica's general election

Jamaica has a lot to be proud of and among the many, is how we remain committed to upholding our strict democratic traditions.

Regarding the general election yesterday, I don't think the most optimistic JLP supporter or the most pessimistic PNP supporter could have expected the results which reflected such a total rejection of the opposition PNP. (49 seats to the JLP and 14 to the PNP). 

Oh yes, Jamaica has had these kinds of results before. For in 1980 it was 51 to 9 JLP voter turnout 86.9%;  1989 45 to 15  PNP voter turnout 78.4%; 1993 PNP 52 to  8 turnout 67%. (Of course, I didn't mention 1983 as that was uncontested). The difference though is that whereas in the previous elections, registered voters turned out in their numbers, yesterday the turnout was a dismal 37%. 

Yes having an election during the corona plague was a challenge but I agreed with the prime minister for not postponing the event because of that disease, as we have to learn to live with it. Maybe a significant number of persons stayed away because they feared getting contaminated but we will never know the extent to which it affected the turnout.

However,  it is not good that 63% of the electorate refused to participate in electing their government.

While I totally agree with the electorate giving Andrew Holness a second term as he has done fairly well as the country's leader, I don't like minority governments or weak oppositions.

One of the greatest problems affecting our country is the prevalence of corruption in our government. 

This was raised during the campaign but the PNP had no moral authority to do so, as they were just  just as corrupt. On the other hand, their leaders have never even tried to deal with the corrupt people in their party. While Holness at least separated some corrupt politicians from their jobs and allowed some investigation, the PNP used the Trump/ Putin strategy.....deny deny and depend on the base to loudly back them up. Further, as long as the stain of Trafigura remains unresolved, the PNP cannot speak about corruption. That is so sad for the country. 

The PNP's main problem leading up to this election was the issue of disunity in the party. I dare say too that the shabby manner in which they treated their former leader, the much loved Portia Simpson-Miller has not gone down well with their base. That I think too was behind Mrs. Simpson-Miller's silence during the campaign and her staying away physically.

But its time to look head,

 As promised by Peter Phillips, the PNP leader, if his party lost he would resign. He did so this leaves his party in a bit of a dilemma for the heir apparent was Peter Bunting and he lost his seat to a newcomer. Of course, the party could go the route of appointing Bunting as party leader and nominating someone who won their seat as, leader of the Opposition in the interim, but I don't think that would be a popular option.

Of the names, I hear being bandied around as possible successors to Phillips are Mark Golding, Phillip Paulwell, Lisa Hanna, Julian Robinson. Of that lot, I think Lisa Hanna would be the best bet but she has an urgent task ahead of her to rebuild her constituency, as in what had always been a solid PNP constituency, she barely won by 14 votes.

If Lisa becomes the PNP leader, the PNP would have a solid record of being an equal opportunity party as she would be the 2nd female leader while the JLP has yet to have one. I am watching that party with great interest for there were 14 brand new ladies elected to parliament under the JLP ticket, so how the cabinet is structured will tell us a lot.  As will their appointments to the senate.

There will be interesting times ahead but I really hope the PNP unifies quickly and becomes an effective opposition as nothing is worse for a country than a government with unchallenged power.

In the meantime, the most urgent task will be to get this damn virus under control, for there had been a spike before and during the campaign, and with the lack of due care during the campaign, I am sure there will be even greater contamination.