By Yasmine Peru – STAR Writer—
Maxine Stowe—
The Rastafari Millennium Council is urging Rastafarian entertainers to think carefully about the needs of the elders in the community and their own career before making rash statements about the COVID-19 vaccine.
In an interview with THE STAR, the council stated that its position on the coronavirus pandemic and vaccine “is one of caution relating to the specific nature of the pandemic”.
“While the Rastafari community disavows vaccines in support of a healthy, ital lifestyle with the use of food and herbal medicines, we are also aware of the unique nature of this pandemic with its replication in variants and the outstanding opinion of whether it had been caused by man-made or natural sources,” the council, represented by Sister Maxine Stowe, said.
The council charged that those who are criticizing the vaccine, while ignoring the facts regarding Rastafari elders and community members with co-morbidities, are doing a disservice.
“[The] over 80 per cent death rate on the elderly is of high concern, as the massive suppression against the community over the years has left our elders even more vulnerable. We do not know how many are included in the growing list of statistics, so we are asking for restraint, and deeper analysis,” the council said.
VACCINATION PROGRAM
As of Monday, Jamaica has 31,907 positive COVID-19 cases, with 494 COVID-related deaths; another 57 under investigation. The Jamaica Government has started its vaccination program and plans to reach 65 per cent of the population by next March.
Stowe suggested that it may be useful for persons to pay attention to the discourse taking place across the world for travel to be linked to a COVID-19 vaccine passport.
“As a matter of fact, they (entertainers) should also be concerned about how their travel and earnings may be affected as the opening up of economies occur, and the requirements in the early phases may require evidence of [COVID-19 vaccine] protection.”
A number of Rastafarian entertainers, including Buju Banton, Sizzla and Spraga Benz, have been vocal in their anti-vax stance. The council says its focus regarding the vaccine lies in the choice of the source of protection and tapped Cuba, which is developing its own vaccines, and African states like Tanzania and Mauritania as their most promising alternatives.
“The value of the Rastafari healthy lifestyle is emphasized, as any choice of vaccination still requires an elevation of the immune system for the multiple variants and boosters that are expected. The Government of Jamaica needs to uniquely grant us our intellectual cultural rights so that we can more properly benefit ourselves, the nation and the world,” Stowe stated.
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