These testing times

 Jamaica Observer column published 3 August 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

On the eve of Emancipation Day news came of The Kensington Primary School’s decision to ban a pupil from wearing locks to school. Naomi Francis and Emily Shields have advised that we should await the written Ruling from the Supreme Court before we pass any further judgment. However, we note the anguished postings of State Minister for Education Alando Terrelonge who wears his locks so well, calling for amendments to the Education Act, which would address such issues.

We understand that the school authorities had said they were afraid of lice being brought into the school. Are they suggesting that individuals with straight hair cannot get lice? This is ridiculous. In the press reports we saw the parents of the child, Mr and Mrs Virgo, wearing well-groomed locks.  As we celebrate Emancipation and Independence, is this school suggesting that if you have naturally straight hair and braid it, this is quite acceptable but if you have naturally curly hair and put it in locks it is unacceptable? That is downright prejudice.

As we honour the courageous life of civil rights activist Congressman John Lewis. we encourage Minister Terrelonge and indeed all concerned citizens to give ‘good trouble’ until such school rules are fixed.

 Lockdown and purity testing

In this semi-lockdown, there is a ramping up of political campaigning and purity testing by both the JLP and PNP. It is important to ensure that good governance is in place and where it is not happening it should be addressed. However, this should not blind us to the positives.

While the scandals may be enticing, our time and energy are better directed at encouraging citizens’ responsibility to keep our Covid curve flat.  Let us highlight the work of the dedicated public servants in our Ministries of Health, Finance, Local Government, Foreign Affairs in their taxing tasks of testing, contact tracing, implementing of protocols for hospitals and infirmaries and the repatriation of thousands of Jamaicans.  Now the Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture, Entertainment, Gender & Sports are collaborating for a careful reopening of certain sectors of the economy. Kudos to the PSOJ, Digicel Jamaica Foundation, Food for the Poor and United Way and The Jamaica Constabulary Force for their active outreach, especially to our indigent elderly.

Hopeful indicators

Richard Pandohie, recently re-elected President of the JMEA posted on social media: “Some good indicators showing an upward bounce in economic activities: fuel sales up, cement sales up, alcohol sales up. Chicken sales have rebounded well ahead of the projected timeline by the industry players, small poultry farmers are buying chicks to restock their operations.”

Both Seprod, headed by Pandohie and GraceKennedy, headed by Don Wehby have recorded continued increase in sales, and remittances are up. Let us spare a thought for those hardworking Jamaicans, many of them on the frontline in the US Covid crisis, who continue to support their families here.

Covid anxiety

We have been hearing the ads from Rise Life Management, offering counselling to folks who feel depressed or anxious and we should encourage our friends and colleagues to make use of this service because this Covid situation is challenging. There are several viral videos of people refusing to wear masks in the US but here in Jamaica I heard a story that took it to another level. A regular shopper at a rural wholesale refused to accept the sanitizer at the entrance to the store, pushing past the guard and when the cashier tried to stop her from entering, she used the most foul language, and left to make a purchase.  I thought my friend was going to say that she bought a mask but in fact what she returned with was a brand-new machete! She had to be subdued and sent on her way.

Unwelcome break

I decided in June to remove wires which had served their time in healing my right elbow which I had broken a couple of years ago. For the procedure, I had to do a Covid test and go into isolation.  Yes, the test is uncomfortable, having those long swabs pushed up one’s nostrils, but it is very quick.  The surgery was a simple procedure by the gifted Dr Chris Rose and anaesthetist Doctor Crawford Sykes. Within nine days the stitches were out and I was as good as new and celebrating the full use of both arms.

You can imagine my dismay when, three days later I slipped on the cattle trap at my gate and saw my left-hand hanging limp - I had broken my wrist! Remember never to wear those rubber flip-flops in your yard. My incredulous doctors were once again tubing me up in the UWI operating theatre two weeks later.

I am grateful to my family of angels and fantastic team at work who have ensured my comfort and supported our various activities including the CCRP annual general meeting held one week after the surgery. Fellow CCRP board director Dr Owen James reminded me that I was still in patient mode but I made it through and using Facebook live, we were able to engage with hundreds of members.

Thank goodness I had the CCRP health insurance. James Pawson, Chairman of Gallagher Insurance Brokers, designers of the plan, disclosed at the AGM that since last December, they had settled over 54,000 claims at a cost of over $330 million, underwritten by Sagicor. This happy founder has seen our membership grow to over 10,000 in our tenth year.  

Season of Music

The star-studded Festival Song Contest came just in time to raise our spirits. The entire lineup was great so congratulations to all the participants as listed by Jamaica Observer Entertainment Editor Brian Bonitto, “reggae singer Freddie McGregor (Tun Up Di Sound); three-time festival song winner Toots & The Maytals ( Rise Up Jamaica); [Winner] reggae singjay Buju Banton ( I Am Jamaican); Papa Michigan (formerly of Michigan and Smiley) ( Festival Dance); dancehall quartet LUST (featuring Lukie D, Thriller U, Singing Melody & Tony Curtis) ( Wave The Flag); and 2009 Digicel Rising Stars winner Shuga ( One People)… two-time Jamaica Festival Song winner Nazzle Man ( Jamaica Nice); up-and-coming dancehall artistes Xtra Bigg ( Jamaica A Paradise); Radix OD ( Place To Be); and actress Sakina Deer (We Are Jamaica).”

The Covid lockdown has seen other great musical creations including Koffee’s song of the same name which in six days had 3.2 million hits on YouTube and Kevin Downswell's “We Will Be Stronger”.

Nadine Sutherland’s Birthday tribute to Rita Marley told us of a generous and brilliant woman who mentored Nadine as her own, including her in the classical music training she organized for her children. This sent us to YouTube to enjoy the charismatic I-Threes – Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt.

Let us tune out the dissonance and tune in to our great Jamaican music. Happy Independence Day!