Tag: Twitter

Jamaica’s Televised Debate on Social Issues: All Words Flowing Under the Bridge

August 28, 2020

Jamaicans love a good debate. They revel in the tit for tat, the riposte, the rebuttal, the banter, the jibes, the quips. So the Twitter brigade settled down for the first political debate, organized by the Jamaica Debates Commission, with the proverbial popcorn in hand. Their reactions were hilarious and witty, although often politically biased. … More Jamaica’s Televised Debate on Social Issues: All Words Flowing Under the Bridge

COVID-19 in Jamaica: Another Community Under Surveillance

June 29, 2020

On Friday afternoon (June 26) the Western Regional Health Authority began surveillance for COVID-19 in the community of Norwood, St. James, just outside Montego Bay. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reported: The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) this afternoon began community surveillance activity in Norwood, St. James. This comes on the heels of confirmation … More COVID-19 in Jamaica: Another Community Under Surveillance

Under the Saharan Dust

June 23, 2020

We couldn’t see the mountains very well this afternoon, from Kingston. They faded into a creeping mist – the thick, concentrated dust from the West African coastline, which is expected to get thicker and deeper tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday. Our Meteorological Service explained that the “plume” of dust from the Saharan Air Layer is not … More Under the Saharan Dust

More COVID Reflections: The Sweet Sadness of Life Online

June 13, 2020

I wrote recently about my new obsession with housework (except for the cooking, regrettably, since I am culinarily challenged) during the Time of COVID. Another aspect of life at home is online life. Everything that we did before has expanded, and then some. The WhatsApp platform, which had already become a bit of a fixture … More More COVID Reflections: The Sweet Sadness of Life Online

Staying Inside

March 28, 2020

Life under COVID-19 is starting to bite. Online, we share memes and videos all day long (and half the night too – I am turning into an insomniac). We are turning to nervous eating. Comfort food continually pops up on my Twitter timeline, whether it’s hominy porridge or just a series of snacks at odd … More Staying Inside

COVID-19 in Jamaica: An Official Update on Tuesday, March 17, 2020

March 18, 2020

Jamaica has confirmed one more case of COVID-19, bringing the total to 13, as of this evening (March 17). This case is linked to “Patient 1” (formerly called “Patient Zero”) who traveled from the UK  on March 4 for a family funeral, and linked to the Bull Bay area now under quarantine. Five results were … More COVID-19 in Jamaica: An Official Update on Tuesday, March 17, 2020

The Entire Island of Jamaica is Declared a Disaster Area: Six New COVID-19 Cases, and More Useful and Interesting Information

March 14, 2020

STOP PRESS! BEFORE I HAD TIME TO PUBLISH THIS, THERE HAS BEEN A NEW DEVELOPMENT. AT A PRESS BRIEFING THIS EVENING (FRIDAY, MARCH 13) THE PRIME MINISTER DECLARED THE ENTIRE ISLAND A DISASTER AREA. ONE PARTICULAR COMMUNITY IS NOW UNDER CONTAINMENT (QUARANTINE). You may watch the entire briefing here (streamed live on Facebook). Stay tuned … More The Entire Island of Jamaica is Declared a Disaster Area: Six New COVID-19 Cases, and More Useful and Interesting Information

World Wildlife Day in Jamaica: A Bright Morning and a Dark Day of Cruelty

March 4, 2020

It was a shimmering morning, when the colors seemed to be turned up several shades brighter. We were in Hope Gardens. We stood amidst the debris of a party (sorry – Festival) that took place two days earlier. As yet untouched, swathes of cloth, discarded rum containers and cups, plastic knives and forks, plastic bottles … More World Wildlife Day in Jamaica: A Bright Morning and a Dark Day of Cruelty

International Reggae Day logo by Michael Thompson.

A Reggae Hall of Fame is a Must for Kingston (Part Two)

July 4, 2019

Some years ago, we visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It is all glassy and modern, on the shore of Lake Erie (think: Kingston Harbour). It is packed with memorabilia- odd bits and pieces designed with the rock music fan in mind. There are quirky little things to amuse … More A Reggae Hall of Fame is a Must for Kingston (Part Two)