Columns

Herd immunity is the only way out

Herd immunity is the only way out of Jamaica's economic slump, and so the private sector has pledged to partner with the Government to get us back on track. At last Friday's press briefing, Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) Chairman Keith Duncan said that private sector...

Caribbean people at risk of prolonging COVID-19

PEOPLE in the Caribbean who refuse to take vaccinations to counter the novel coronavirus will cause the pandemic to remain longer in the region, endangering lives, livelihoods, and entire economies. Whatever genuine fears may exist, these people must be educated about the value of the...

Stop the 'soon come' and act!

THERE are indeed potent lyrics in Bob Marley and the Wailers' classic, Soon Come. In the song they crooned about amatory matters. The lyrics, in my view, can also fittingly apply to a major Achilles heel in our defective politics and damaged governance infrastructure which has and...

Strategy and opportunity

The year 2020 was a torrid year for international trade. But, as the dust settles — somewhat — it is with some clear-sightedness (and hope) that I put forward the five negotiating priorities for the Caribbean in the international trade sphere:

What is heart failure?

A common heart condition which has been increasing in prevalence over the past few decades worldwide is that of heart failure.

Reggae music, dancehall and the subculture of violence

It is historic irony that Black History Month and Reggae Month are celebrated in February. Jamaican music can be traced back to mento music, but the importation of the blues in the post-World War II era had a profound influence on the early urban weekend activities in Kingston and St...

Do it right for the industrious woman with the stall

THROUGHOUT this COVID-19 crisis I keep my mind on the woman who had a stall outside a primary school, selling goodies for children up until March 10, 2020. She is who motivates my search for possible solutions for Jamaica.

The constitution, a crime plan and an unequal society

The Mitsubishi Evolution is, quite frankly, a sports car. It is also affordable to the middle-income guy and corners like it is on rails.

Time to abolish our antiquated abortion law!

True gender equality cannot be achieved unless and until we relinquish our pervasive desire to enslave, control, and police the body and dignity of women. A woman must have the very basic human right and freedom to make autonomous decisions concerning her own body. Our common humanity...

Are we in a state of paralysis?

I was 15 years old when Jamaica gained political independence. Some 58 years later, my island home is yet to attain economic independence. And, against the backdrop of the novel coronavirus pandemic, it will take a great deal of political will and bold initiatives from the private sector...

CaPRI's deadly and outrageous recommendations

The recommendations of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) are extremely troubling and represent a threat to our unborn children, youth, and the democratic process. They fly in the face of the biological reality of human life and also represent a brazen...

Is the joy of 'inna a real life' worth the risk?

He looked at me from head to toe, and with the full force of a category 3 hurricane he launched himself at me, and declared, “Miss Willie, mi a see yuh inna real life!” That was the reaction of a six-year-old, in October 2020, on seeing his principal 'in the...

Let the law put online trolls' vitriol in check!

The recent posting by an American JetBlue employee, Kalina Collier, suggesting that she had been kidnapped and being held against her will in Jamaica, serves to bring into focus once again the irresponsible and reckless behaviour of some users on social media. This...

We are all exhausted by COVID-19, but...

Almost a year into the novel coronavirus pandemic we have all become exhausted by the unrelenting pounding from the virus. Our lives have been dislocated in so many ways, with the ultimate tragic result of lives being lost and activities severely...

The vaccine fear — real or imagined?

The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought with it the need for another vaccine to combat its spread and halt the deaths which result from becoming infected. This has drawn varied responses to being vaccinated by many individuals, with some have even...