Since Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the relaxation of the Disaster Risk Management Act, there has been no clear messaging as it relates to COVID-19 protocols. Only 23 per cent of Jamaicans are fully vaccinated against the virus, and a significant percentage of the population is still at risk. The Minister of Health and Wellness needs to communicate what the strategies will be going forward so we do not go back to where we are coming from.

COVID is not over

23 Mar 2022

SINCE WHAT many deemed as a pre-emptive celebration of the passing of COVID-19, coupled with that law-busting, maskless scramble by senior ministers for photo ops with the Cabinet’s favourite dancehall artiste, Shenseea, the health ministry has seemingly abandoned any attempt at managing the spread of the coronavirus. At least, it seems that way.

Or, perhaps it is that the health minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, is busy doing private penance – not for his public breach of the regulations of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), which were still in force when he attended Shenseea’s album launch, but for how it looked. Bad optics – as Dr Tufton put it.

Or, it may be that he and the rest of crew – among whom were the deputy prime minister, Dr Horace Chang; the usually socially restrained finance minister, Dr Nigel Clarke; and minister without portfolio, Floyd Green, who might now be considered a serial flouter of DRMA protocols – are listening to, and salivating over, the lyrics of Shenseea’s songs.

According to Dr Tufton, the optics of the occasion “could send the wrong message to the population around COVID protocols, leadership and personal responsibility at this very important time in our pandemic response”.

WHAT RESPONSE?

Which brings us back to where we started. What response?

First, it’s a week since that infamous fete, followed soon after by Prime Minister Andrew Holness’formal abandonment of the DRMA protocols which, among other things, demanded mask-wearing in public spaces, the maintenance of social distances; and limits on the size of gatherings. That decision was within the purview of the prime minister, acting, as he said he was, on the best available scientific advice, and taking into account the needs of the economy.

What wasn’t appropriately in the gift of the prime minister was his implicit expropriation of the rule of law with his announcement that the ministers who attended Shenseea’s bash, and who were without masks, were each “fined” J$100,000, to be donated to charities of their choice.

That, intended or not, was a signal for law enforcement officials to do nothing, which undermines the idea that laws are equally applied.

Further, it mocked the several people who were convicted for breaching the DRMA protocols and paid fines which in absolute terms, and as proportions of their incomes, were substantially higher than the amounts ‘Justice Holness’ extracted from his colleagues. It is like what happens at those service club luncheons.

But more specific to the management of COVID-19 going forward, Mr Holness conceded that despite his rescinding of the DRMA protocols, “risks still remain and continued vigilance is necessary, especially for vulnerable populations”.

“For this reason,” he said, “some measures will be retained and incorporated into regulations issued under the Public Health Act instead.”

While the prime minister owns the DRMA and is the one who makes declarations under that law, the Public Health Act is primarily the obligation of the minister who covers the health portfolio. The minister at this time is Dr Tufton, who won plaudits for his public communication during the period of the pandemic.

Dr Tufton and his technocrats are now required to speak with clarity about the measures that are now in place and how they will impact social and economic life.

VACCINATION STATS

Further, there is the question of what is the health ministry’s message and messaging for the new paradigm. Indeed, only 23 per cent of Jamaicans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including one per cent who have had booster shots. Another 26 per cent have had a single shot of a two-shot dose. In other words, less than half of the population has had some level of vaccine protection against the coronavirus.

Our sense is that in recent times the campaign promoting vaccination has lapsed, without any new strategy to encourage or entice Jamaicans to take the jab. We fear that might be compounded by a public perception that, but for a few lingering cases, COVID-19 is essentially over. It may well be, and the world may indeed be entering the endemic phase of the disease.

That, however, is not what the global experts believe.

Last week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), noted a rising number of COVID-19 cases in several countries in Europe and Asia, despite less robust testing for the disease, which meant that “the cases we’re seeing are just the tip of the iceberg”.

“Each country is facing a different situation with different challenges, but the pandemic is not over,” Dr Tedros said. “I repeat, the pandemic is not over.”

Jamaica should take note – and be prepared. While COVID-19 may well be on its way out, there could yet be another dangerous variant of the virus before it retreats. Maintaining vigilance, therefore, is important.

Maybe Dr Tufton could entice Shenseea to help with the messaging.

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