Get that precious Covid vaccine

 

Observer column published Mon 15 April 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

The Ministry of Health’s Covid vaccine blitz continues islandwide this week. Meanwhile the anti-vaccine WhatsApp messages continue to make the rounds. Those of us who know of the agony of Covid sufferers should make a special effort to convince others to take it. Explain to them that they would be alone with no access to their family members as they would have to be isolated. Explain to them the ‘long Covid’ condition where symptoms can persist for months.

Last Wednesday and Thursday saw a total of 30 deaths from Covid. In a country of 3 million, this is an alarming number. It has got to the point where most of us know someone who has succumbed to the disease. The Ministry of Health and Wellness website, moh.gov.jm has an efficient registration system.

Younger folks have been helping seniors to register, and the age eligibility has been lowered to 60 years and over. Teachers, Immigration Officers and workers in the hospitality industry are eligible for the vaccine. I do hope my media colleagues will also be allowed to take the vaccine. Thank goodness Dashan Hendricks is fully recovered, Dionne Jackson-Miller is recovering while Dr Orville Taylor is struggling with this debilitating virus.

I keep hearing of the courtesy and kindness of our health workers at vaccination centres. A senior who was vaccinated at the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre (MAWC) at UWI remarked on the keen attention paid to the seniors by Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer. I was not surprised as she has sought relentlessly to protect our elderly.

Please assist a senior in getting the vaccine, whether by registering them or by giving them a lift to the clinic.

Teachers in grief

Day after day, her fellow teachers joined with the Police in their search for Natalie Dawkins who had gone missing on March 30. Her car was located – one of the thugs trying to make a quick cheap sale was killed. The search ended in grief as Ms Dawkins’ remains were found in the Sandy Bay area in Clarendon last Thursday.

A video of her singing as she started a virtual class showed us a woman who had joy in teaching. She served at the Clarendon primary school for over 20 years and her passing has plunged the entire school into mourning.

As a result of keen Police action, four persons are now in custody. As we get news of so many persons going missing, we are on edge, concerned about the safety of our family members. Let us try to link with friends when going on the road. Make your own pepper spray if necessary – no one will charge you if you use it in self-defence.

St Vincent Volcano

We extend our sympathy to Caribbean neighbours in St. Vincent, where nearly 15 percent of their population – 16,000 persons - have been dislocated by the terrifying ‘La Soufrière’ volcano. Residents are dealing with heavy ashfall as well as small hail-like stones. The ash cloud has travelled as far as Barbados where the national airport had to be closed over the weekend due to poor visibility.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves tearfully thanked neighbours in Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda for offering to take Vincentians into their homes. Our own Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been in talks with PM Gonsalves offering our assistance.

Food for the Poor has airlifted emergency supplies to St. Vincent for the evacuees and are liaising with partners in Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia who are housing the Vincentians. Donations for this cause can be sent via www.foodforthepoor.org/vincent.

Happy 100th Lady Kay!

Kathleen ‘Kay’ Wilson, the driving force behind the establishment of the Jamaica Women’s Hockey Association celebrated her 100^th Birthday last Monday, joined virtually by family members and friends worldwide. Her niece, Jamaican poet Christine Craig sent us notes on her amazing life. Mrs Wilson was herself a national hockey player from 1956-1966, playing in tournaments in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Jamaica. The national team travelled extensively and played in many regional and international tournaments. For her services to the development of sports, she was awarded the Order of Distinction in 1994.

Mrs Wilson was recently feted by the Hampton Old Girls Association, celebrated as their oldest living alumna. Happy Birthday to a spirited Centenarian!

Goodbye my friend

Jamaican master chef Colin Hylton passed away suddenly last week, leaving his friends in shock and grief. His enthusiasm for his art took us on journeys of wondrous flavour. His ‘Guilt Trip’ Restaurant was popular for his unending range of exquisite cakes.

We explored Norway with Colin and fellow master chef Anthony Miller on their prizewinning trip from the Norwegian Seafood Council. In the rough seas of Saltsraumen Colin and Anthony managed the boat on their own, caught the fish and prepared triumphant dishes outdoors in a snowfall.  

Colin’s culinary adventures were world class and his joie-de-vivre contagious. Heaven must be a delicious place now. We miss you Colin – rest in peace my friend.

Legendary Joe Mahfood

The Food for the Poor family is mourning the passing of one of the organization’s co-founders, Joseph Mitchell ‘Joe’ Mahfood. He was not only a remarkable philanthropist but also an industrial pioneer, building with his brother Sam the Wisynco Group of Companies.

William Mahfood, his son who is now Chairman of the Wisynco Group says he remembers his father’s research and the long hours he put in to grow the company. Despite his entrepreneurial successes, William said his father always regarded as his ‘crowning achievement’ the founding of Food for the Poor with his brothers Ferdinand, Sam and Robin in Jamaica in 1982. The organisation has grown into one of the USA’s biggest charities serving 17 countries in the Caribbean and Central America.

The staff of Food for the Poor Jamaica remember his compassion for his fellow Jamaicans and shared Joe Mahfood’s mantra: “the most useful asset of a person is not a head full of knowledge but a heart full of love, with ears open to listen, and hands willing to help.” 

May his beautiful soul rest in peace.    

Prince Phillip dies at 99

As one would expect, there were all sorts on remarks on the messages of condolence sent to Queen Elizabeth by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Prime Minister Andrew Holness on the passing of her husband of 74 years. It was the right and proper thing to do, whether we believe that Jamaica should become a republic and have our own head of state.

In 1966 when the Prince attended the Commonwealth Games here, my sister Fran and I, mischievous teens, decided to call him. She dialed the number of his hotel and handed me the phone. I asked for the Prince and was shocked when he took the call. I abruptly said ‘Goodbye!’ but he asked me my name and thanked me for my stuttered welcome to Jamaica.

Rest in Peace, gentle Prince.

Photo captions

Hampton Old Girls celebrate the 100^th Birthday of the school’s oldest Alumna, Mrs Kathleen Wilson.

Mr Joseph Mahfood, co-founder of Food for the Poor and Wisynco

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