People’s behaviour critical to economic recovery process

FURTHER TO Dr Garth Rattray’s column ‘When will we take COVID-19 seriously?’, one consequence of the pandemic in Jamaica is the negative impact it is having on tourism – particularly stayovers from Canada and the United States. In the past, the Ministry of Tourism could only estimate the impact of tourism on the Jamaican economy, it can now be quantified; and, as you know, it has been significant.

We also know that Jamaica’s COVID-19 infection rates are skyrocketing, there is a shortage of ICU beds that grows daily, and government estimates are that only 17 per cent of the population will be vaccinated by year end. To his point that in the interim people must remain vigilant with masking and social distancing, there is a direct linkage to people not doing that and the inability of tourism to return to pre-pandemic levels. The US and Canadian governments will continue to restrict travel to those countries where they believe their citizens will be at risk.

Dr Rattray’s points are well taken, but until the Jamaican people writ large see the linkage between non-compliance and its prolonged negative impact on the economy, not much will change. You may have read that New Orleans has shut down Mardi Gras celebrations this year. The conclusion by local government officials was simple: people will not behave responsibly, and the health risks were too great to open the bars, and have a parade. It is a lose-lose situation for everyone, but it is a sad reality of the times. Stay safe.

NED BROWN Charleston, SC