Category: Family

Living in the Gyre

October 19, 2020

These are treacherous times. We have to put one foot in front of the other, and try not to slip. These are anxious times. We have to close our eyes, count to ten, pray, meditate, take deep breaths. These are angry times. We have to hold onto our reason; some people have abandoned theirs, and … More Living in the Gyre

Older Persons in Jamaica: COVID-19, Fierce Determination, and a Little Disco Dancing

October 2, 2020

Today, October 1, 2020, is the International Day of Older Persons. The theme (like most other themes for discussions and commemorations, these days) includes reference to the ever-present virus: Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing? According to the United Nations: “Globally, there were 703 million persons aged 65 or over in … More Older Persons in Jamaica: COVID-19, Fierce Determination, and a Little Disco Dancing

DK Duncan: A Passionate Politician For Over Fifty Years

September 17, 2020

If there is one thing many Jamaicans are passionate about, it’s politics. And Dr. DK Duncan was a practitioner of the business (by the way, a dentist by profession) who was nothing if not passionate. The news broke this morning that “DK” (Donald Keith), as he was simply known, had passed away from COVID-19, at … More DK Duncan: A Passionate Politician For Over Fifty Years

“Daylight Come” by Diana McCaulay

September 15, 2020

Award-winning Jamaican writer and environmental advocate Diana McCaulay has just completed her fifth novel. An earlier version of the novel won third place in the CODE Burt Award for Caribbean Young Adult Literature in 2019. Peepal Tree Press will publish this, the first Jamaican climate change novel, on September 24. It is available for pre-order … More “Daylight Come” by Diana McCaulay

Digging Deeper into Kamala Harris’ Jamaican Roots

August 19, 2020

I would like to introduce you to a great website with a special Jamaican diaspora focus, skillfully managed by Ian Randle – whom I used to work with many moons ago (he doesn’t like when I call him “my former boss,” but actually he was. OK – former colleague, then). Ian has a wealth of publishing … More Digging Deeper into Kamala Harris’ Jamaican Roots

ICYMI in Jamaica, August 16, 2020: Andrew Says Let’s Go, el-Faisal Says Goodbye, and JAMP Says Sorry

August 16, 2020

This week was a momentous one for those who get excited about elections. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced the date in Parliament (not in front of a large crowd of frenzied supporters, as is normally the case): Thursday, September 3. Nomination Day will be next week – Tuesday, August 18. Thankfully, it will not … More ICYMI in Jamaica, August 16, 2020: Andrew Says Let’s Go, el-Faisal Says Goodbye, and JAMP Says Sorry

Jamaica Should Retain its Proactive Stance in Managing COVID-19, Say Private Sector, Civil Society Representatives

August 11, 2020

I tuned in to a press briefing today organized by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), with four speakers: Keith Duncan, President of the PSOJ; Lloyd Distant, President, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce; Helene Davis-Whyte, President, Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions; and gender advocate Nadeen Spence. All four are members of the COVID-19 Task Force team. The word “proactive” featured heavily … More Jamaica Should Retain its Proactive Stance in Managing COVID-19, Say Private Sector, Civil Society Representatives

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

On Coloring Caribbean Birds and Attempting to Sketch Them

July 19, 2020

Are you artistic – or a budding artist? Do you love nature? Or do you just need some good therapy, in these stressful times? If you check any one of these boxes, then BirdsCaribbean’s latest coloring book is for you. It was produced for the annual Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) and then, as the … More On Coloring Caribbean Birds and Attempting to Sketch Them

High Dependency Units at Victoria Jubilee to Reduce Maternal and New-Born Deaths

June 25, 2020

At the official opening of a new neonatal facility at Kingston’s Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Minister of Health and Wellness pointed out one “lesson from COVID”: That no economic development can be achieved without an investment in public health. Ah, perhaps our political leaders are beginning to connect the dots now. The event this morning was … More High Dependency Units at Victoria Jubilee to Reduce Maternal and New-Born Deaths