Editorial | 2021 is here!

Jamaicans love to celebrate, and they take pride in their hospitality. Despite the global pandemic brought on by the coronavirus, Jamaicans found various ways to celebrate Christmas, for it is still the most joyous season of the year.

This celebration of family opens the door to reunions and feasting. However, it also evokes mixed emotions for persons, ranging from grief to anxiety.

Admittedly, this festive season was like none other. Some families suffered pandemic-imposed loneliness because their loved ones were unable to travel from overseas, or worse, are themselves affected by the virus.

Even choirs were muted after being labelled coronavirus super spreaders, and social-distancing guidelines ruled out the traditional large gatherings in churches and in homes. Many people may have experienced loneliness this holiday season. There are some who may have clamoured for a comforting hug but, sadly, did not get one.

The economy is in trouble; businesses are struggling to keep afloat, some of them are failing, and people are out of work. These challenges present conditions that are ripe for causing sadness, depression and stress. Yet, even those who are not Christians recognise that there is hope in the Christmas story. The birth of Jesus, a child born in poverty to an unwed teenager in an occupied country 2,000 years ago, who brought a transformative message of love and peace to the world, is the real reason for the celebration.

Need for hope and optimism

This message of love gives the Christmas season a unique magical air not seen at any other time of year. Now more than ever, there is need for hope and optimism. As we leave 2020 behind, there is a collective sigh of relief, for it was for so many a dismal year. We hope that the virus which has consumed our lives for most of 2020 will be beaten back by vaccine-induced herd immunity. The vaccines which were recently rolled out will likely get to Jamaica sometime this year, by which time there will be more proof that they are safe and effective.

For hard-hit industries like hospitality, leisure travel and entertainment, the hope is that there will be a turnaround in 2021. For healthcare workers and those who work in the essential services, who have had to face down this virus at great personal risk, there is hope that more people will practise the well-designed safety protocols so that fewer will become sickened by the virus.

For students who have had to make the difficult adjustment to remote learning, there is hope that things will get back to normal in 2021, with face-to-face instructions and interactions.

The usual wave of commerce that normally attends the Christmas season was absent, and many are regretting their circumstances as they crossed into the new year.

This is also the time of year when people make wishes and make their aspirations known. After the tumultuous year we have had, we, too, have prepared our wish list.

We want to see less violence in our country. This is more than a wish; our country’s future hangs on whether we can find the fortitude to renounce violence and criminality so that Jamaica can be a better place in which to live, work, and do business.

We want to see a coordinated effort by our policymakers and political leaders to make wise decisions that will help our economy recover sooner rather than later.

We want to see a return to respectful interactions between citizens, and for more people to become sources of goodness and light.

We want to see a radical transformation in the way we treat our environment.

We want to see less corruption in the public service and a commitment to service with honour.

We want more persons to exercise moderation in drinking, and care when driving on our roads.

May the hope and spirit of Christmas follow our nation throughout the new year. Happy 2021!