Shorter Curfew Hours

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, June 28, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Come Wednesday, we will have shorter curfew hours, beginning at 11pm on weekdays and 6pm on Sundays. There will be a 70 percent allowance for seating in churches and cinemas. However, we are reminded that mask-wearing, distancing and regular handwashing or sanitizing are crucial to maintaining this gradual opening up.

Understandably, members of the medical community are concerned as they became burnt out just a few months ago when beds and oxygen were running short. With loud calls from the entertainment sector, the Government is again trying to balance lives and livelihood.

The challenge is the discipline required to respect the protocols. I was concerned at the announcement that 5,000 spectators would have been allowed to attend the National Trials. Yes, we understand that they would have been spaced out, but the science shows that shouting and laughing cause aerosols of fine droplets to travel more than six feet. None of us can keep quiet when we see our favourite athletes flying to the finish. Good sense prevailed and the decision was reversed. Clearly our athletes were not napping during the pandemic. The fastest woman alive Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce thrilled us with her Mommy-Rocket skills and Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson and young Briana Williams are the promise of a breathtaking Tokyo Olympics Relay. We have been spoiled by our sub-10 men’s athletes but we should note that Yohan Blake did that in the semis and should not give up hope of a good showing. Indeed, I have a soft spot for Blake, who has been a strong supporter of Food for the Poor over many years.