ICYMI in Jamaica: Much Ado About Dreadlocks, INDECOM Chief Steps Down, and JUTC Needs to Shape Up: August 2, 2020

August 3, 2020

August 1 – Emancipation Day – is as good a day as any to restart writing my weekly news posts. I have missed doing them, actually. They help me (and hopefully you) keep a finger on the pulse of things. So, it’s a humid evening, an hour to go before curfew kicks in at 11. … More ICYMI in Jamaica: Much Ado About Dreadlocks, INDECOM Chief Steps Down, and JUTC Needs to Shape Up: August 2, 2020

A COVID-19 Update from Jamaica: What We Know, and What We Don’t Know

August 1, 2020

It’s hard to believe that this is the last day of July. The time seems to go slowly in one sense – when are we going to come out of the woods on COVID-19? – and at the same time seems to hurry along. Now, on the eve of the Emancipation/Independence national holidays (August 1 … More A COVID-19 Update from Jamaica: What We Know, and What We Don’t Know

International Coastal Clean Up Day Is Still On – With a Difference

July 30, 2020

Just as I was wondering whether Jamaica’s International Coastal Cleanup Day would be possible this year, the coordinators, Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), informed us that it will take place – keeping COVID-19 protocols strictly in mind. And, as I noted in the previous blog post, technology is playing a part in this time of the pandemic, … More International Coastal Clean Up Day Is Still On – With a Difference

“Physically Closed, Virtually Open”: National Library of Jamaica Offers History Resources to High School Students

July 29, 2020

The National Library of Jamaica must be rather a lonely place at the moment. No pesky members of the public requesting manuscripts, firing questions, asking where the bathroom is, and whether they can make photocopies. All the usual traffic has faded away; but the NLJ has always done a whole lot more than the regular … More “Physically Closed, Virtually Open”: National Library of Jamaica Offers History Resources to High School Students

Tomorrow: JFJ Hosts Virtual Training in Working With Victims of Gender-based Violence

July 28, 2020

I am quickly sharing this information, as this opportunity is actually tomorrow. Please contact Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) if you are interested in participating. Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Equal Rightsand Justice for All Project – with support from the European Union – will stage a free virtualtraining … More Tomorrow: JFJ Hosts Virtual Training in Working With Victims of Gender-based Violence

Are We Trying Hard Enough to Preserve Our Mangroves in Jamaica?

July 27, 2020

Today (July 26) is World Mangrove Day. What does this mean for Jamaica? Regrettably, the average Jamaican might regard mangrove areas as dirty, smelly, somewhat scary places (scary because endangered American Crocodiles live there) – and riddled with mosquitoes. What possible benefits could they bring to the island? Personally, I find wetland areas in Jamaica … More Are We Trying Hard Enough to Preserve Our Mangroves in Jamaica?

#COVID19Chronicles-101: July 24, 2020: Should our official attitude towards domestic tourism annoy me? #Staycation Johnny come lately!

July 26, 2020

Originally posted on Jamaica: Political Economy:
Certain things rile me for their blatant insensitivity for the mass of people at whom they are addressed. That’s why I got riled up when I saw the Ministry of Tourism was launching a ‘Rediscover Jamaica’ programme this week to make residents a ‘priority at this time’. https://twitter.com/jamaicaobserver/status/1285703444775555073?s=21 It…

At-Risk Groups Will Soon be Able to Self-Screen for COVID-19

July 22, 2020

This is such good news. I am sharing with you all, because it cannot come soon enough. Telemedicine has been talked about for long enough in Jamaica – now at last here is the opportunity provided by this pandemic to protect vulnerable groups – who should not be leaving home, and who don’t wish to … More At-Risk Groups Will Soon be Able to Self-Screen for COVID-19