COVID-19 not a partisan problem

Of dreams and aspirations

IT IS the wont of politicians to attempt to milk partisan advantage out of any circumstance. They are usually worse when elections are imminent. We are encouraged, though, by the remarks, thus far, of Andrew Holness and Peter Phillips with respect to the confirmation of COVID-19 cases in Jamaica and intend to hold them to account for any crass politicisation of the issue.

As an open society deeply integrated into the global economy, it was only a matter of time before the virus, of which more than 125,000 cases have been reported in 121 countries, reached Jamaica. Presumably, the Government has been planning for it since the first case was reported in China in December.

Yet we remain in relatively uncharted waters. For there is much that the world doesn’t know about this latest coronavirus, which has made the leap from animals to humans.

What we know is that there is as yet no vaccine for COVID-19, and on the upside, that it hasn’t, so far, killed, in aggregate, massive numbers of people – only approximately 4,600. Those who have died from COVID-19 are either the elderly or persons with underlying health problems and compromised immune systems. Children, it appears, are mostly spared the condition, and younger persons recover relatively quickly. Indeed, of the approximately 54,000 active cases globally, nearly 90 per cent are considered mild; of the more than 71,000 that have been closed, over 67,000, or 94 per cent, are fully recovered.

These statistics still leave us with the fact that the virus’ current death rate of 3.6 per cent is multiples of most other viruses of the corona family, and there is no clear picture as yet, despite the signs of its containment in China, how it might grow in other countries or even what turn it might take in China when that country returns to work and restrictions on people’s movements are lifted.

In this context, it is important that Jamaica keep abreast of the rapidly emerging science on the virus while promoting what, in the absence of an antiviral drug, is known to work against COVID-19, which is a healthy dose of basic hygiene and willingness of individuals to conform to actions that are in the interest of the wider society.

The former, such as frequent hand washing, is not always simple for persons with limited access to water and soap as is the case for many poor Jamaicans who often live in informal communities and decayed urban ones with absent or broken infrastructure. However, such persons, with the relevant support, will generally attempt to do what is right. As is often the case with attempts at community control to help during natural catastrophes, restricting the movements of Jamaicans, voluntary, or enforced, can be extremely difficult.

LEADERS’ BEHAVIOUR IS IMPORTANT

If it comes to that in Jamaica, it will be more difficult if the message that underpins the action isn’t clear and coherent and doesn’t enjoy political consensus. This is where the behaviour of Prime Minister Holness and Dr Phillips, the opposition leader, is important.

COVID-19 has entered Jamaica as the island was beginning to rev up for a general election that is due in a year’s time but which Mr Holness was contemplating calling by the summer, hoping to get it out of the way before his government has to battle domestic and global economic headwinds.

The prime minister now has a narrower space within which to manoeuvre. But he has J$7 billion to spend on the COVID-19 response, J$2 billion of it in the short term. There are those in his government and party who might be tempted to persuade Mr Holness to use those resources in a manner to give them the advantage in the election. The Opposition, on the other hand, could seek to exploit any public disaffection with almost any of the Government’s anti-COVID-19 policies.

Mr Holness, however, has said that while the Government will provide“leadership and coordination” for the effort, the approach will not be partisan. He will establish a bi-partisan committee to ensure information-sharing on the matter while a special channel will be open to Dr Phillips, who has promised that his party is open to a national effort against the virus.

He might go further and pledge his party’s organisational network across the country to help the health ministry deliver credible information about the virus, and if required, to trace persons who may have come in contact with carriers and convince them of the efficacy of the public-health protocols. This might be especially useful in communities where political divisions are sharp and there is often distrust of institutions of the State.

The next step is for the Government to be open and transparent with the public, delivering a message that neither panics nor is overly optimistic.

THE EDITOR, Madam:

BARACK OBAMA rode his mantra, “Yes we can”, straight to the White House, thus becoming the 44th president of the United States.

He had the audacity to dream that a black man could become president of the United States.

This, too, seemed a dream of humble Jamaicans to own a company in their homeland that would provide Internet service to the citizens of Jamaica.

This dream gave birth to Caricel, which, since its inception, has carved a solid niche in the telecommunications market.

However, it seems like their dream is causing discomfort to the other players in the local industry, which are foreign owned, with a splattering of local workers while the opposite is true in the case of Caricel.

Having applied for and secured licences to operate, stumbling blocks are continually placed in the way of this company.

Is it a case of the Government bowing to the dictates of foreigners, or is it one of the prophets having no honour in his own country while foreigners flourish? CONCERNED CUSTOMER St Andrew