It wouldn’t be surprising if resolutions made for 2023 are already broken. Somehow, New Years’ resolutions are broken quickly. It would be much better if people focused in the new year on how they can, if possible, improve unresolved problems of the past year.
Left over problems abound from 2022. Problems that continue to effect individuals, families, communities, and nations.
As the Caribbean National Weekly reviews news of 2022, it takes a look of some of the unresolved problems of the past year, which the authorities are urged to address in 2023.
Topping the list of unresolved problems from 2022 is the problem of violent crime in the Caribbean and the USA. Residents in both regions have grown weary of media reports of incidents of violent crime, particularly gun related crimes. One of the first local news items of 2003 related to a motorist driving on I-95 in Miami-Dade being shot by an unknown assailant. Shootings of motorists on South Florida highways occurred frequently during 2022, and the authorities are urgently urged in 2023 to introduce patrol mechanisms on the main highways before these incidents become uncontrollable.
Tragically, 2022 was marked by more mass shootings in several US communities. Each of these incidents gives resurgence to the debate over gun control laws. Hopefully, in 2023 this debate will be resolved to protect the lives of Americans attending schools, colleges, churches, nightclubs, sport events, shopping at malls, and going about their normal lives.
But, for the Jamaican diaspora, although they are concerned about violent crime in their American communities, this pales in comparison to violent, bloody crimes in Jamaica. There’s a strong, persistent belief that the incumbent Jamaican government is pussyfooting when it comes to taking measures to control violent crime. While the government has been attached to the imposition of States of Emergency to solve crime, crime continues unabated. There is urgent need for more fundamental policies, preferably, one brokered through consensus between the government, the parliamentary Opposition, law enforcement leaders, and the private sector. If this is a problem too profound for the government to solve, then it may be better if it gracefully resign in 2023, and let the people decide on what they perceive as the better political party to protect them from crime and violence.
The anarchy in Haiti worsened throughout 2022. It seems, increasingly, the impact and existence a formal government in that country is diminishing. Instead, armed gangs have taken over the streets, creating serious crisis in the beleaguered country. Haiti is begging order, effective law enforcement, government, social and economic development. Is the rest of the world, including France, Canada, the US, as well as the United Nations going to maintain a standoff attitude, locked in indecisiveness about assisting Haiti to free itself from anarchy? Hopefully, in 2023 the international community finds a strategy, preferably not one militarily based, to pull Haiti out of its downward spiral.
Healthcare was another unresolved problem in 2022. Americans enter 2023, with a triple threat of viruses – respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and another COVID variant. Hospitals are reportedly overcrowded with patients, including large numbers of children. The situation is expected to worsen as the cold winter months prolong. But why are these viruses so prevalent? Why is COVID so persistent, despite the application of vaccines and related boosters. It’s concerning that people who willingly got COVID vaccines, are now doubting the effectiveness of these vaccines. Many vaccinated people have still contracted COVID. Somehow, there exists a disconnect between America’s healthcare authorities and the public. Hopefully, in 2023 there will be consensus about the source, and treatment of these viruses, and not the conflicting messages disseminated throughout 2022.
Jamaica also has serious healthcare challenges. The health and wellness ministry, and minister, came under serious criticism in 2022 for various miscues. But the problem is that the Jamaican healthcare infrastructure is woefully weak. This weakness, characterized by a shortage of hospitals, clinics, healthcare personnel, medication, and crucial medical equipment, has progressed from government to government since 1962.
Sadly, two prevailing reasons why Jamaicans overseas are reluctant to return home to Jamaica to reside, are violent crime and the weak healthcare system. These are, interestingly, areas in which they should be much more effective collaboration between Jamaica and its diaspora. Hopefully, in 2023 the Jamaican authorities, private and public, will be more conducive to entertaining input from the diaspora in attempting to bring solutions to the crime and healthcare problems. Effective, pragmatic plans need developing within the diaspora, that can realistically help bring solutions in these areas in 2023.
Yes, 2023 has inherited 2022 problems. The challenge isn’t to linger on the past, but to find solutions to these problems throughout 2023.
