Kingston, Jamaica. April 19, 2020. The People’s National Party’s young professional affiliate – The Patriots – says there are too much hardships, too much conflicting information and a considerable amount of suffering among the populace, which is making adherence to the government’s COVID-19 guidelines a difficult challenge for many citizens. On top of the anxiety caused by the curfew announcements, the lack of proper due diligence and communication on the part of the government have added to an atmosphere of panic and confusion within the society.
It is evident from the latest announcement of the lock-down of St Catherine, declared the night before implementation, that the decision lacked the social survey data analysis required and a proper implementation plan.
In a statement lashing out on the widespread hardship being caused by the one-week lock down of the parish of St. Catherine, the Patriots criticised the “one-don” approach of the Holness-led administration in taking and implementing decisions in one of the largest geographical spaces in the country. The young professionals said the conditions were particularly harsh on the elderly and young people with young families. The fact that many persons, not necessarily domiciled in St Catherine would be caught-up in the lock down as they make their way to the capital city of Kingston.
The Patriots’ President Omar Newell said chaos at the undermanned checkpoints and swarms at supermarkets and other food outlets, tell the story of a poor decision made by the government without the proper buy-in of the local authorities. He said the images of women of all ages standing for up to five hours to enter a store because of social distancing requirements, and, the narrow window within which over a third of the country’s population is made to shop was counterproductive and may lead to further spreading of the virus.
The stark reality, he said, was that many would-be shoppers had to walk away without getting supplies.
“The fact that the Prime Minister visited the area and promised an additional day for person to get essential supplies and food, is proof positive of how personal and arbitrary, the plans were in the beginning,” said Mr. Newell.
He said the Patriots wanted to see greater collaboration between the government and critical groups representing these communities and interests, contrary to what now obtains. “The present strategy is not serving us well as the needs and views of too many are not being taken into consideration and significant groups, including the local elected authorities, are being seriously ignored,” the Patriots said.
Mr. Newell also called attention to several actions, which have gone wrong or were imprudent because of the lack of consultation. This, he said, included:
- the refusal to land 43 young Jamaican cruise ship workers while the vessel refuelled in Jamaican waters,
- allowing a flight with a COVID-19 positive patient from the Turk and Caicos Islands to enter Jamaica without proper precautions being taken while our airport remained closed to inbound passengers,
- ignoring workers rights, and the subsequent poor treatment of workers at a certain call centre, who had called for government intervention to ameliorate their working conditions,
- the botched testing of the Alorica workers who were told to report at the Alorica facility for testing only to be told that there wasn’t enough testing samples to complete the testing,
- the limited quarantine of Cornpiece in Clarendon and Bull Bay, without the initial provision of essential supplies and food to the people, triggering a nationwide appeal for food to those affected,
- the selective application of quarantine protocols at the Ministry of Health and Wellness,
- the major debacle in the attempted lockdown of St. Catherine and,
- An appeal from the Mayor of Portmore Leon Thomas to the government to add an additional shopping day which was arrogantly ignored.
The PNP’s young professionals said the government must change its mode of operandi to be less arbitrary and dictatorial; and instead draw on international best practice in fighting the effects of the coronavirus, while taking into account the peculiarities of the local socio-economic conditions, particularly in poorer communities. Italy provides convincing evidence that partial lockdowns do not work.
The group said the government must include wider participation of political leaders at the national and local levels, professional groups and associations, trade unions and civil society.
The fight against a novel virus pandemic requires a national effort and not just the cabinet of the country, the Patriots concluded.
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Contact
Omar Newell President – the Patriots