Excerpt from The New York Times published 24 September 2020

By: Roni Caryn Rabin

As millennials mingled in bars and restaurants over the summer, and students returned to college campuses, coronavirus infections surged among young adults.

From June through August, the incidence of the virus was highest among adults ages 20 to 29, according to research published on Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Young adults accounted for more than 20 percent of all confirmed cases.

But the infections didn’t stop with them, the researchers found: Young adults may have also seeded waves of new infections among the middle-aged, and then in older Americans.

The new data show that outbreaks linked to parties, bars, dormitories and other crowded venues are hazardous not just to the 20-somethings who are present, but to more vulnerable Americans with whom they are likely to come into contact.

College campuses have become a particular threat. According to a database maintained by The New York Times, there were more than 88,000 coronavirus infections reported on nearly 1,200 campuses as of early September.

At a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned against sending home students from colleges experiencing outbreaks.

Colleges “should be able to accommodate the students in a facility, maybe a separate dorm or a separate floor so they don’t spread among the student body,” Dr. Fauci said, referring to infected students. “But do not send them home to their community because of the likelihood of them bringing infection in the community.”

Millennials may also face a higher risk of infection from occupational exposures, as they represent a large portion of the workers who interact with the public in retail stores and the food service industry, as well as other frontline jobs such as child care and public transportation.

But the new study suggested they also might be less likely to adhere to recommended mitigation practices, such as social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

“This is what we worried would happen if young adults started regathering in higher numbers,” said Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“We need to turn this around,” Dr. Inglesby said. “Leaders need to communicate better with younger people how essential they are in keeping this epidemic under control.”

He said the patterns are “yet more evidence that the concept proposed by some — cocoon the elderly, and let young people get sick because they will not have bad outcomes — will not work.”

Though it is rare, young people can become severely ill and die from the virus, as well as set off chains of infection that move into older populations. “The young and the old are all connected in our world,” Dr. Inglesby said.

Young people need support and help finding ways to stay socially connected during the pandemic, said Julia L. Marcus, an assistant professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School.

She warned against demonizing young people, many of whom are filling critical public-facing jobs that expose them to the virus and living in intergenerational households that don’t make for easy seclusion.

“We can’t let moral outrage about partying distract us from addressing the occupational and household risks that continue to drive this pandemic,” she said.

The C.D.C. report examined positive test results, emergency department visits and confirmed virus cases from May to August in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The incidence of cases was highest among those in their 20s, but the spike in cases in this age group was quickly followed by increases in infections among people 60 and older, the researchers found.

In the South, where cases rose drastically over the summer, a clear pattern emerged. Within nine days of an increase in cases among those in their 20s and 30s, cases also rose among those 60 and older.

In states like Alabama, Florida and Georgia, transmission was more sequential. The increase among people in the 20-to-39 age group was followed by a bump in cases nine days later among those ages 40 to 59, and then another rise in cases 15 days later among people 60 and older.

Younger adults are most likely playing a significant role in spreading the virus, which can be transmitted before people know they have been infected and before they show symptoms, the researchers said.

“Strict adherence to community mitigation strategies and personal preventive behaviors by younger adults is needed,” the report concluded.

“My message to younger adults is to understand that they may play a role in the transmission of Covid-19 to family and friends and others in their communities, and they play an important role in our ability to contain the pandemic,” said Tegan K. Boehmer, an epidemiologist and the lead author of the C.D.C. study.

Because many young adults may have mild infections, they might “be in a situation where you don’t know that you’re infectious or that you’re contagious,” especially before symptoms develop, Dr. Boehmer said. “There’s the possibility that they’re unknowingly transmitting Covid to others during this pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic state.”

Young adults are not immune to the virus themselves. Though older people make up the majority of deaths from the coronavirus, more than 5,000 younger adults between the ages of 25 and 44 have died of the virus, according to C.D.C. figures, and many more have been hospitalized with severe illness.

Another study of college transmissions, which has not yet undergone peer review, analyzed infection trends in towns with colleges and universities and determined that the reopening of schools was associated with an increase in virus cases in counties where schools were located — but only when colleges resumed mostly face-to-face classes.

“We only saw that happening where the college opened for primarily in-person teaching,” said Martin Andersen, an author of the paper, who is a health economist and an assistant professor at University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

The paper’s other authors were from Indiana University Bloomington, University of Washington and Davidson College.

Even though many university students gathered to live on or near campuses when instruction was mostly remote, they did not drive an increase in cases in those counties, Dr. Andersen said.

Spikes in cases occurred about two weeks after colleges opened. The increases were higher at schools with face-to-face instruction that drew students from regions where the virus was widespread, Dr. Andersen and his colleagues reported.

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 14 September 2020

_{By: Jean Lowrie-Chin}

We borrow Toots’ words to herald in the members of the Cabinet announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness last Friday. We heartily congratulate the reappointed and new Ministers, State Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries; you have worked hard and your appointments are well earned. The PM has not minced words about his expectations of those in whom he has entrusted the business of the country, warning against acts of corruption and reminding them that they are servants and not monarchs.

They have assumed their high office in the toughest times faced by Jamaica in recent history.  Last Saturday we recalled the devastation caused by hurricane Gilbert 32 years ago and we reflected that the damage was horrible but visible, it had a beginning and an end, and we could appeal to our international friends for assistance. Covid’s damage is insidious and seems unending. Our international friends are also suffering from its wide and merciless grasp.  

This Cabinet will have to draw on the support of citizens from every walk of life. I remember Monsignor Richard Albert relating how an old lady in Riverton Meadows called out to him on a visit, and handed him a paper package with coins she had been saving. She said she saw the good he was doing and she wanted to help. And there is my friend Mrs Ferguson, a humble lady in St. Elizabeth, who will not sit down to eat her Sunday dinner until she takes some for two elderly persons who live nearby. This is the spirit of generosity that we must enkindle in our people because no Government, no matter how competent, no matter how honest, can handle this crisis on their own.

There is so much sacrifice, so much pain. We have to search ourselves and find ways in which we can make another’s life more bearable. Yes, we should expect good governance and sound policies from our leaders, but they cannot do it all.

After elections, we should live as one Jamaican family, and so this disgusting behaviour of ‘burying’ a candidate and going to the extreme of producing a full-colour funeral programme, must be given no quarter. That kind of energy should have been expended for the good. Covid does not give us the luxury of time for foolishness. We need everybody on board, JLP and PNP, so we are depending on our political representatives to set an example of respect and dignity.   

Covid scammers

We received reports of a scammer, pretending to be from the Ministry of Health, who telephoned a man, informing him that he had been in contact with a Covid-infected person and that he would be sending him a test kit. The caller asked for his card number to collect payment for the kit. When the man refused to disclose his card number, he was threatened with penalties. Please tell your senior relatives that there is no such programme and they should pass on the telephone numbers of such persons to the police so they can be tracked down and charged.

Farewell Trailblazer Jeanette Grant-Woodham

Jeanette Grant-Woodham’s life was one of dynamic leadership. The legendary educator was the first Principal of the Tivoli Gardens High School and was the first woman Leader of the Senate, appointed in 1984.

In his tribute, PM Andrew Holness said, “Jeanette pushed boundaries, broke barriers, and did the seemingly impossible.”  She was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry in 1986, and a Foundation established in her name has made tertiary education possible for several West Kingston students. She became an active member of the Jamaica Women’s Political Caucus and must have taken comfort in the rising number of women politicians.

Our condolences to her son Omar and to her relatives and close friends. May the great soul of Jeanette Grant-Woodham rest in peace.

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 14 September 2020

_{By: Jean Lowrie-Chin}

Jamaicans everywhere are deeply moved by the passing of Frederick Nathaniel ‘Toots’ Hibbert, our favourite brother whose voice was joy itself, and whose music danced us through decades of ups and downs. Major media houses here and abroad have been carrying obituaries and features on our charismatic Toots. It was serendipitous that it was he who named the reggae beat: indeed, he personified the happiness of a rhythm that gladdened our hearts and captivated the world.

His Festival songs had us on our feet: “Bam Bam”, “Sweet and Dandy” and “Pomps and Pride”. His entry in this year’s Festival Song contest was the message of a patriot: “Eternal Father bless our land with justice, truth and rights – Won’t you rise up Jamaica stand up Jamaica with love and justice for all / Let us build our nation from the foundation of love/ … We are all God’s people, we should live as one.”

His “Monkey Man” entered the UK charts in the seventies, bringing him to the attention of the world but already we had been jumping to “54-46 was my Number” and “Pressure Drop”. Toots showed his soulful side with a ringing rendition of “Country Road, Take Me Home.” His brilliance moved such celebrities as Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Willie Nelson, who were featured on his album “True Love”.

In an interview with the Guardian’s Miranda Sawyer, perhaps his last, he noted that he still worked a six-day week, from 10am to 8pm. “Writing songs is so hard to do: I’m not easy to please,” he shared. Of his new album, “Got to be Tough”, he said his message is, “Don’t take life for granted, be careful, be strong.”

Toots Hibbert shared a Trench Town address with his close friend Bob Marley and often shared with him the stage and back-up bands. Ziggy Marley posted on social media: “The legendary Toots Hibbert has passed. I spoke with him a few weeks ago, told him how much I loved him – we laughed and shared our mutual respect. He was a father figure to me – his spirit is with us, his music fills us with his energy. I will never forget him. RIP MIGHTY AND POWERFUL NIAH FIAH BALL (tears emoji).”

We send condolences to Mrs Dorothy Hibbert, his wife of 40 years and his children, and we give thanks that we still have his music to sing us through these challenging times. Rest in peace, beloved Toots Hibbert.

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 14 September 2020

_{By: Jean Lowrie-Chin}

 

Be inspired to serve by these eight young graduates and students, passionate about youth and volunteerism, who have come together to form the iBloom Foundation. They have raised funds to assist 100 students with back-to-school kits, and 45 students with credit for their online studies in urban and rural parishes. Kudos Shanakay Dyer – President, Yanique Mendez – Vice President, Shanice Harrison – Secretary, Shayna Small – Treasurer, Ramone Daley – Fundraising and Sponsorship Coordinator Samantha Gregory – Public Relations Officer, Kaifa Clarke – Central Coordinator and Deborah Akiara – Sponsorship and Outreach Coordinator.  Their organisation has now grown to 50 members. Check their inspiring social media messages.

Below are few of the donations received at the foundation’s recent back to school drive.

The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) welcomes assurances from the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) that senior citizens will be given priority when voting in the General Election on Thursday, September 3, 2020.

“As an elder, I am pleased to hear that we will be allowed to go to the head of the line at polling stations to limit our exposure,” said CCRP Foundation Board Member  Mrs Vilma McDonald, adding: “We understand that supervisors will be in charge of assisting us. That is important as we will need help also to navigate the strict COVID-19 protocols that will be in place.”

CCRP is encouraged to hear that political candidates are instructing those who will be transporting our elders to observe all COVID-19 protocols, and to sanitize their vehicles. It is critical that there is a safe mode of transportation to and from the polling station.

“We welcome the news that the National Health Fund will be distributing a number of disposable masks and sanitizer to all candidates,” noted Mrs McDonald. “They should have some in reserve for the elderly they transport as some home-made masks may not fit well and make good use of the hand sanitizers to protect their supporters.”

“I want all my fellow seniors to be able to exercise their right to vote with a feeling of safety and security, during the pandemic,” she added.

In order to check if your name is on the voters’ list, simply go to the EOJ website at https://ecj.com.jm. For more details on the voting procedure, view their YouTube channel at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqh4RPaMiqc

Staff at the CCRP head office and regional chapters are now working remotely.  They can be contacted at the numbers and email addresses given on the CCRP website:  ccrponline.org.

A twinkle in her eye and a warm smile on her face, seamstress Olivia Johnson has been a proud member of the Allman Town community for over thirty years. The nimble craft woman recently turned her hand to something new: creating colourful, reusable, non-medical cloth masks.

Johnson, 63, is one of 20 artisans engaged by Kingston Creative for their Masks for Downtown project. With many downtown communities being seriously affected by the pandemic prices are high and with unemployment increasing, masks are not an easy commodity for all people. Together with Kingston Creative and their sponsors – the Digicel Foundation, Grace and Staff Foundation and Fight for Peace – Johnson has contributed to making masks available for over 2,000 persons in downtown Kingston. The initiative has also offered a source of income for skilled workers.

As an older woman living with diabetes, Johnson knows she is among the more vulnerable residents. Since COVID came to Jamaica’s shores, she’s been working at home. Hunched over her Singer sewing machine, her seven-year-old grandson, a student of St. Aloysius Primary School, stays home with her as he does online classes. He makes sure the entire family is practicing social distancing and sanitisation – keeping Grandma safe.

“He loves to use his own personal hand sanitizer, and reminds me to use my own,” Miss Johnson laughed. Johnson’s daughter, a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and her fiancé also live at the cozy Allman Town home. With two other grandchildren overseas, Johnson hopes for the pandemic to end soon.

Johnson made her first trip to church since the lock down – attending service at the Apostolic Church of Jamaica Bethel Temple in Kingston Gardens. She was happy to see the congregation again, and proud that they were all practising social distancing.

Looking to the future, Johnson is optimistic. When asked how she saw her business progressing as things open up, she responded, “I may just continue making masks.” Business has been good for the Manchester born craftswoman, who currently has orders to fill. She’s also looking forward to participating in Kingston Creative’s monthly Downtown Artisan Market after COVID-19. She believes this will boost her sales, expand her customer base – and help to give her new creative ideas.

As for Allman Town itself, Miss Johnson has one major prayer: that her community will stay safe. “The time is hot. People want to go to the beach and go out, enjoy themselves. But we must be careful. I am worried that people will drop their guard.”

Groups from Allman Town to Rae Town are working with Kingston Creative to distribute the masks, while taking the time to speak to community members about the importance of wearing masks – especially youths.

“We must remember that, as the saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than cure’,” said Johnson.

 

Despite the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alpha Boys School is planning a major expansion. The Kingston-based school is finally realising its goal to build a dedicated music space for its longstanding music programme. The space, which will be located in the old dormitory building will accommodate a performance space, rehearsal rooms and a music resource centre.

Since the closing of the dorms in 2014, the administration of the school has been developing plans to repurpose the old dorms to expand their music programme and provide adequate rehearsal and recording space. Funding has been a major challenge for the extensive renovation, but Digicel Foundation inked a deal on Thursday, July 24 at Alpha to assist the project.

“You know how it is sometimes when you’re struggling to get things started and you just can’t get any traction; Sister Martha Milner, who passed in October 2019, put together a four year music and Jazz curriculum for us and when she did that, it all came together,” explained Sister Susan Frazer, executive director at Alpha Institute. “Digicel is the top of the heap for us – this sponsorship is what has moved it forward for us. Now we can get more than the outside done.”

As a part of the Foundation’s sponsorship, the newly renovated building will be dedicated to Digicel’s past CEO, Colm Delves, who passed away in May after a battle with cancer. “Colm embraced Jamaican culture through music,” said Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation. The Digicel Foundation is focused on the areas of Special Needs, Education and Community Development; a large part of their investment in schools has been focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. “We’re proud to be able to honour Colm in this way – it is our largest investment in a music programme to date and we know Alpha will care for this building as it continues to serve at-risk young men and create a world where no one is left behind.”

Alpha has had a 140 year history of promoting skills to boys and much of that history is entrenched in music, with past students such as Yellowman, Dizzy Reece, Feluke and  Tommy McCook, Lester “Ska” Sterling,  and John Arlington “Dizzy” Moore, founding members of The Skatalites.

“Sister Martha was instrumental in bringing this music programme to life and now the late Colm Delves, through the Digicel Foundation, will be an important part of that as well,” said Frazer.

The renovation is set to be completed by December 2020. Other investors have already assisted the school in creating an adjacent outdoor space for open-air performances. This space will also be available for rentals to assist the school in maintaining the extensive music programme. Other sponsors include the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the Sandals Foundation.

Residents of the Rockfort community in Kingston have been gifted with a mural courtesy of one of their own, Conroy Green. Green is optimistic that his mural will be viewed as an inspiration for the upcoming generation.

The Rockfort artist paid an emotional tribute to his community on Instagram. “I was born and raised in the community of Rockfort, Kingston 2, known by many to be a volatile area, but for me, it is my hometown,” he wrote. “This mural is being done a stone’s throw away from my family’s house and right in front of my basic school.”

“It gives me a sense of purpose and fulfilment to be able to do something that I love with the potential to inspire many generations to come,” he continued. “As an artist, I’m beginning to realize that I have a voice and I have to use that to the best of my ability for the growth and development of my community.”

Green is a part of LifeYard, a social enterprise in Parade Garden that focuses on honing the skills of young artists. The group was commissioned by the Digicel Foundation to contribute to the MoDA Mural on Windward Road. This is a part of a larger partnership between the Foundation and Collection MoDA which saw two Digicel Foundation grantees on show at the exclusive fashion event, MoDA Market, in November 2019.

Green is thankful for the opportunity to express himself through art and give a facelift to a sentimental part of his hometown.

Reflecting on his childhood and the decision to join LifeYard, he commented, “Growing up in Rockfort is a bitter/sweet experience, sweet because most of my family resides here, bitter because of the violence Rockfort is known for.”

The East Kingston community has been under a State of Emergency since January 2020 due to gang violence in the area.

“I just want to commend LifeYard for doing the amazing community work they have been doing over the past six years. These young men and women have been feeding, spreading awareness, educating, advocating community growth and development from their hearts.” said Green.  “It gives me great pleasure to even be considered by them to execute a mural project. I charge everyone to get more involved in their communities to make a change in the life of our youth.”

The health care system in Jamaica recently received a significant boost to ramp up its COVID-19 response, thanks to the generosity of Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) and its committed donors. The donation, valued at over J$20 million, included personal protective equipment (PPE), 50 critical care monitors, 240 new fire-resistant hospital mattresses, and patient monitor trolleys. This generous donation was made possible by the dedication of various organizations and individuals who participated in the true spirit of giving for a common purpose.

Diane Pollard of the Issa Trust Foundation found a supplier who had 50 critical care monitors available for purchase.  She then reached out to Wendy Hart of The American Friends of Jamaica and Michele Chalifour of Friends of Food For The Poor to assist in securing the funding for the purchase.

Working rapidly to secure the necessary funds, the foundations reached out to members of various communities and especially FFP Inc. to help with funding and shipping. With amazing speed, the commitments rolled in, including an incredibly generous gift by the family and friends of Gordon Sharp and Roy Lankester of Jamaica Bags Ltd. to secure 8 units for May Pen Hospital’s new Isolation Unit.

FFP Jamaica was instrumental in coordinating the efforts locally. The items, which were distributed during the last week of May into the first week of June, were handed over to the regional health authorities islandwide, and other institutions, for further distribution to hospitals, clinics and areas where the need exists.

“The collaborative effort of this donation is proof that, together, we can accomplish so much as we continue to serve and give back,” stated Kivette Silvera, director of FFPJ.

In response to the urgent need for hospital improvements for COVID readiness, Samantha Mahfood from FFP Canada agreed to donate US$25,000 for 100 brand new hospital mattresses. Fiona Godfrey and Young at Art, with the funds raised by their 2020 Art Calendar, also donated the equivalent of US$25,000 for brand new hospital mattresses and Omar Azan from Boss Furniture contributed JA$1 million worth of new mattresses.

FFP sent a generous shipment of PPEs for COVID-19 readiness. PPEs and other hospital equipment are currently in high demand and the hospitals are happy to have received these donations.

“It is very important that we have the required gear in stock to protect our staff, especially our frontline workers, who are our highest priority at this time.  In that regard, I just want to say a big thank you to Food For The Poor and all the other donors for these well needed items.  They will benefit all our major hospitals in terms of ensuring that our members of staff do have the needed protective gear as they deliver health care to our nation,” said Maureen Golding, Regional Director, South East Regional Health Authority.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Dr. Michelle Ann Richards of the Bustamante Hospital for Children.  She said, “At this time, when the entire world is being affected by COVID-19, the unselfish, caring and compassionate outreach by our donors to help others, in partnership Food For The Poor, is remarkable.  The donations of PPE, gowns, surgical and N95 masks is an invaluable contribution to the work of the health care team and will allow us to safely manage our patients. The donation of spacers, for use in children with respiratory conditions, will help us to reduce the risk of spread through aerosolization which would have occurred with the use of nebulizers. The donation of the critical care monitors has already been put to use as the need was immediate. Thank you all and God bless you!”

Chairman of Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Eric Clarke, is also happy at the collaboration.   “I am pleased to see the donors coming together to make this possible. Alone, they could have only done a fraction of this and so many institutions would not have benefited. I am extremely grateful for the much-needed donations received by WRHA and pleased that other institutions across the Island also benefited.”

Thankful for all the donors’ assistance, Kivette Silvera concluded, “we take pleasure in partnering with our donors and salute the efforts of all those who came together to make this contribution to Jamaica’s health care system possible. Food For The Poor, without our committed donors, cannot fulfill the requests of those in need, whether institutions or individuals.  I give honor to all the donors who partnered with us and support the mandate of our charity to uplift the materially poor,” Silvera concluded.

While the country tries to recuperate from the economic damage caused by COVID-19, some Jamaicans are still feeling its adverse effects. These vulnerable individuals are sometimes unable to get the most basic necessary items. Understanding this dilemma, Colgate-Palmolive, through their distributors Kirk-FP Limited, has donated personal hygiene products valued at $1.84 million to Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) for distribution to those in need.

The donated items include Colgate^®toothbrushes, Colgate^® Total Toothpaste, Fabuloso® Liquid Cleaners, Speed Stick^®Deodorants, Palmolive^® Bath Soap and as well as travel size of Colgate^®Regular Toothpaste.

“We have been in Jamaica for almost 90 years and during this time Jamaican have been so passionate and supportive of our brands,” said Kirk Reid, Customer Development Manager, Colgate-Palmolive. “Currently, we are at a juncture where Jamaica is facing a significant crisis with COVID-19, and we felt as a company (both locally and regionally) that we had to do something to give back to our Jamaican society. That is why we have chosen to partner with Food For the Poor to distribute these items which consist of products that a lot of Jamaicans know, use and trust. Therefore, for those facing significant challenges we want them to have something to smile about in spite of the issues.”

FFPJ has ramped up their activities since Jamaica confirmed its first COVID-19 case in March to serve the nation’s most vulnerable and those directly affected by COVID-19. With the help of various partners and sponsors, they have been able to assist all the communities that were quarantined while carrying out their day-to-day operations of providing food products and other necessary items to those in need. As they seek more assistance, Food For the Poor Jamaica is delighted and thankful to Colgate-Palmolive for joining in this fight against COVID-19.

Kivette Silvera, FFPJ Director observed, “Maintaining proper hygiene is of paramount importance, especially during this pandemic, so this donation from Colgate-Palmolive, through their distributors, Kirk-FP Limited, will be quite beneficial to our recipients. We thank Colgate-Palmolive for choosing our charity and for their continued contribution to the people of Jamaica.”