Remember Emancipendence before going out for Christmas

THE EDITOR, Madam:

WE THANK the almighty God that a vaccine will be available soon for COVID-19. With the Christmas season upon us, Jamaicans need to be warned, our valiant healthcare workers are tired and hard-pressed. Do not exacerbate the situation, by throwing caution to the wind during the Christmas season.

My grandmother would say – eat little, eat long. So business interests pushing for the relaxation of rules, pay heed to the data. Yes, the Yuletide season is the time for bumper profits, but at what cost?

We need to pay keen attention to the death rates and hospitalisation cases around the globe. According to Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, the situation is dire.

I am calling upon Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his Cabinet to weigh things carefully before taking a decision on the protocols for Christmas. Jamaicans are known to be too indisciplined. My suggestion, give them a few more shopping hours in the days preceding Christmas.

We cannot afford to have the same kind of spike in the number of cases as was the case during Emancipendence. We need to keep monitoring the number of cases – we need to obey all protocols, wear masks, maintain physical distancing and wash or sanitise our hands as frequently as possible.

ANDREA DUNK