https://vimeo.com/310171400?ref=fb-share&1

It seems the man who continued to rob Delroy Patrick Thomas has finally been arrested. Thomas still needs help, however. It will cost $30,000 to fit him for prosthetics. Check out his story here.

The government has declared a dengue outbreak. Unfortunately, there have been a number of deaths. This is a good video, but perhaps too late. Although people are already aware of dengue and how to prevent its spread. How much of a role should government play versus personal responsibility?

Three horses live On the campus of the University of the West Indies. My daughter and I went to look for them the other day after I told her about them and she would not stop talking about them. We started walking around in search of them when a man who introduced himself as Basil who looks after the white rats the students do experiments on offered to take us. We walked through some grass and by some maintenance buildings and then came upon the first horse. We found two more then thanked Basil and went on our way.

The plastic ban went into effect on January 1, 2019. I wrote about it for the Washington Post awhile ago, you can read the story here.

I was curious, though, after visiting several establishments, as to why they were still handing out plastic bags and straws. A couple of vendors told me the government was allowing them to finish their stock. According to NEPA, this is true. Here is their response to me when I queried on Twitter.

Indeed, they are allowing vendors to use the remaining plastic products. So it is more of a soft ban than a complete ban as of Jan. 1, 2019.

Exploring and discovering for the new year.

My latest piece on Jamaica’s states of emergency and Zosos. It is for the Christian Science Monitor.

People are very excited about DJ Khaled’s visit to Jamaica. He is apparently working with Buju Banton.

Can anyone help?
This is from a source:

A humanitarian appeal:

33 year old Patrick Delroy Thomas was in 2013 picking ackees with a metal stick to sell in order to make a living. The stick touched an exposed electrical line and he was electrocuted. He lost both arms and was crippled. His family thereafter refused to look after him and so he lives on the sidewalks of Papine (Kingston). where he begs money in order to survive. He also has to pay someone, anyone (including males) to look after him: feed, clothe, bathe, do hygiene change etc.

I appeal to all who read this to make a contribution to what he wants most: prosthetic arms so that he might be able to help himself and become a little more independent.

If you are willing to make a contribution — J$1000 per person or more? — please so indicate and we will get back to you.

Lloyd D’Aguilar
Human Rights Advocate and Activist