Predatorism in the face of crisis

LAST WEEK, I made the point that preventing the ‘coronasation’ of Jamaica requires a firm hand, the will to enforce and endure the bitter medicine to come, and political solidarity. Alas, despite the efforts of our Government to contain the spread of the virus and protect the citizenry, pervasive indiscipline continues, as too tribal politics. While we hope crises bring out the best of humanity, they often expose the worst.

It is estimated that infections will likely peak after approximately eight to 10 weeks, but even then, the crisis will be far from over. In fact, the greater the conformity with the Government’s programmes, the more likely that the peak will not only be realised within this time frame, but that the extent of infections will not exceed the capacity of the public health system.

Predatory practices have become widespread. We hear of the theft of critical medical supplies from our hospitals. We hear of taxi associations and drivers openly discriminating against our nurses, refusing to accept them as passengers. We hear of business operators engaging in extortive, price-gouging practices. What is the Government doing about these issues?

We are in the throes of a crisis, which, from all indications, is likely to worsen. The Government cannot afford to entertain these distractions, and it is already taxing on our medical front-liners and the general populace without such larceny, discrimination and extortion. The Government, therefore, needs to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to such matters.

Access is an underpinning requirement for those engaged in theft. With respect to medical and medicinal supplies at hospitals, the foremost preventive measure is to manage accessibility, to enhance accountability. Deterrence is also important, and fast-tracked punitive sanctions, cancelling of access and contracts, and heavy fines, should become standard tools in the Government’s arsenal.

TRANSPORTING NURSES

Discrimination against nurses by operators of public transport is abhorrent; however, sanctioning the ignorant is likely to alienate the nurses. People are concerned and scared, and such reactions are to be expected; not just from the operators, but also from their passengers.

Notwithstanding, our nurses need to be able to commute to and from work: this is a matter that the government will have to appropriately address. We cannot afford to have our nurses off the job.

More importantly, and especially where the public is concerned, the Government should implement price controls on commercial goods, namely, food, hygiene, sanitation, medical and medicinal products.

I am not saying that merchants should not make profits, but not in extortive proportions. Yes, goods will be scarce, but life goes on, even under such difficult and testing conditions. Implementation of price controls, public advisories, and effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms ought to be expedited.

While the message must be clear, and a firm stance taken against profiteering, I am not advocating the automatic lockdown of establishments, as employees would be out of jobs.

I am disappointed with members of the Opposition who continue to undermine the Government’s efforts to handle the ongoing crisis. Posts on social media berating the quarantine actions in Bull Bay. Posters encouraging people to call members of the Opposition, rather than the established government contact centres, to report actual and suspected cases of infection. Nay-sayers on radio and television lamenting the Government’s plan and activities. Fake news, divisive news which, given the precipice we are currently tottering over, is bordering on sedition.

Now is not the time for predatorism to prevail, not that it acceptable at any other time. We are in a crisis. Our Government needs to be focused on the task at hand, to prevent our public health system from becoming overwhelmed, not to be extinguishing predator-ignited fires. ONE LOVE, JAMAICA.