IDB Partners with JAID in Support of Children with Intellectual Disabilities

February 16, 2020

Social inclusion is more than a buzzword. It is, and has to be, an action-oriented concept. The expression refers to embracing, in an proactive way, citizens who are regularly excluded from the everyday activities of life. It has to be deliberate, and ongoing. Last week, the Inter-American Development Bank came out in support of inclusion, … More IDB Partners with JAID in Support of Children with Intellectual Disabilities

More on the Coronavirus (COVID-19): All Three Isolated Patients Test Negative

February 14, 2020

I have been writing so much (too much?) about what is now called COVID-19 in the past few weeks, including a Caribbean update yesterday for Global Voices. I just want to keep people informed. Today it’s good news for Jamaica, as three patients who were in isolation have tested negative for COVID-19. The other good … More More on the Coronavirus (COVID-19): All Three Isolated Patients Test Negative

It’s Valentine’s Day and JET Says “Love Where Yu Live”

February 14, 2020

Jamaicans take Valentine’s Day (and Mother’s Day) very seriously. This weekend, amidst a flurry of other activities, there will be the annual concert in aid of the Gregory Isaacs Foundation, headlined “Red Rose for Gregory.” The late reggae singer (greatly loved and missed by yours truly) battled substance abuse for much of his life. The Foundation … More It’s Valentine’s Day and JET Says “Love Where Yu Live”

Jamaica Coronavirus Update: February 10, 2020

February 11, 2020

Here is the latest Press Statement issued at a 4:30 p.m. press briefing at the Ministry of Health and Wellness today. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie stressed that quarantine is a way of keeping an eye on those who have NO symptoms (I suspect there is a bit of misunderstanding here) but who may be … More Jamaica Coronavirus Update: February 10, 2020

The Forest Factor: Millions of Trees Planted, Too Many Lost

February 8, 2020

You may have missed this (as I almost did in the horrendous month of January) – but the Forestry Department has been busy. You may recall that last October Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced a “Three Million Trees in Three Years” project. The numbers are great, but the devil is in the details. Does the … More The Forest Factor: Millions of Trees Planted, Too Many Lost

Rehabilitation Centre to Expand as Number of Road Crash and Violent Crime Victims Increases

February 8, 2020

I am writing a lot about health recently. Yes, environmental issues are still very much on my mind, but I will have to get back to them later. However, please bear with me. This year, I am seeing a lot of linkages: between crime, violence, road crashes – and health. The year has not started … More Rehabilitation Centre to Expand as Number of Road Crash and Violent Crime Victims Increases

Coronavirus, Influenza and Dengue Fever Updates for Jamaica

February 5, 2020

It seems that the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is by no means finished with us yet. Earlier today, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists at a press briefing (full audio here) that:  “As of 6am Geneva time this morning, there are 24,363 confirmed 2019-nCoV cases in China, and 490 deaths. … More Coronavirus, Influenza and Dengue Fever Updates for Jamaica