Many people are now realizing that weathering the novel coronavirus pandemic takes more than good hygiene, limiting congregations and contact, and wearing masks; it’s putting heavy demands on many elements of how life is now lived. It’s pushing people to points many never expected for themselves or friends and family, financially, physically and emotionally. Mental strengths are being tested repeatedly. We’re seeing ‘errors of judgement’ by some who frame policies but cannot abide by their rules.
As we all adjust to new norms, we’re realizing that many households were living almost by their bootstraps, barely able to make it financially beyond a week without pay. We see businesses heavily dependent on one sector, tourism, take a massive hit in their business, or those heavily dependent on foot traffic pushed to the brink as people have to stay home for weeks on end. We see that poorly structured and under-resourced virtual learning programmes are likely to be damaging to children’s education, and will likely increase inequalities in many ways.
We’re seeing people struggle psychologically with the demands of not leaving their homes on a regular basis and circulating freely to do tasks, see friends and families, and just live life as they used to.
New etiquette has to be learned and quickly. I have gone out twice in two days and seen how things are changing rapidly. People like those over-70, who are not supposed to leave their homes, will have little idea how the world they knew has changed. Many businesses are closed or operating under restricted circumstances, eg fast food outlets have people lining up outside and only letting 10 people be inside, or opening late and closing early. Few people and vehicles are out and about. People walking around in masks must be an odd sight. People walking with bottles of sanitizer in their hands instead of their mobile phones.
While out today from about 9.30–all masked up and sanitizer in hand–I noted different practices in two adjacent plazas. Lane Plaza on Barbican Road has done away with guards at the entrance and exit, giving and taking back parking cards. I presume security are still operating in the space. I went to a store, sanitizer in hand, and stood a good 2 metres away from the young lady who attended to me–fixing my glasses. I then backed out, not touching the door handle, and walked across Hope Road to Liguanea Plaza. Their barriers were down but with a sign saying they were not handing out parking cards. As soon as I passed the barrier, man approached me with a ‘gun’. I was startled till I realised it was a hand-held thermal device. “Take you temperature!” he said as he pointed the device at my forehead. “You’re good!” I asked him to explain what was going on, as he’d not even asked if I had any objections. He explained that if people show temperatures in the fever range, over 100F, they would be told they could not enter. I registered 97.1. The plaza was relatively quiet, and, sadly, Mother’s fast food shop was closed, as announced recently (and will be so for about a month). The optometrist store I wanted to visit was closed till 10. But, this was not my first time out in weeks, so I was not gobsmacked. I can’t imagine how my daughter will react, who’s not been out of the house for over three week.
Our politicians have not displayed themselves routinely as best exemplars in society and it’s still so now when much new behavioural guidance is needed. They ought to seize opportunities to make clear how all should conduct themselves.
Their general etiquette in recent weeks has been a cause of concern because, I think, they are sending some confusing mixed messages to the general public. One area where that is apparent is that of wearing masks. I did not see it myself, but I understand the practices during Monday night’s PM’s press conference was a veritable pantomime of ministers wearing masks, taking them off to speak, leaving them on podiums, putting them on again, amid a merrigoround of statements and questions and answers. Susan Goffe addressed this extensively today on Twitter:
I had also previously raised issues about how the PM was using masks in Parliament:
My basic point is that people should see the difficulties encountered by politicians applying the rules and understand that it’s not easy for anyone, rather than the politicians dismissing the difficulties by discarding the masks, which is what many are inclined to do at the slightest opportunity.
I understand that the politicians may want to offer a certain look but they need to appreciate the potential and actual confusion being caused.
Similarly, politicians need to adjust how they present to the public and the day of the long-winded statement should be over. Crisper and shorter presentations are needed, especially if a string of ministers are due to speak. People have also pointed to the time-worn (pun intended) practice of being late for events they schedule, and then running over. It’s more embarrassing when this is seen repeatedly by the public on TV, as now, rather than occasionally in Parliament or public functions.
We all have a long way to go in adjusting how things are done and habits have to be better considered.
Jamaica: Political Economy 