by Kari Grenade, PhD
Regional Economist and Macroeconomic Advisor
The Covid-19 pandemic is a global health crisis of enormous proportions. Since the outbreak started in December 2019, there have been over 80,000 deaths worldwide (as at 9 April 2020), of which a total of 38 have been spread across 10 Caricom countries.
Not only is Covid-19 a global health crisis, but it has upended social norms, caused acute psychological pain and delivered a decisive and pronounced shock to global economic and financial systems. Governments worldwide have rightly focused on containing the spread of the virus, with the ultimate objective of saving lives, with a proximate objective of protecting livelihoods as much as practical and feasible. Indeed, governments’ actions must continue, and in some cases, intensify to stop the virus.
While current efforts are rightly focused on containment, it is not too early for us in the Caribbean to start thinking about the new normal post-Covid-19, in fact, the “next new normal” because we have been in a new normal post the global financial crisis of 2008. For sure, the choice that we will face when we get past Covid-19 is how do we deal once and for all with the myriad of issues that are required to address our vulnerabilities and build our resilience to health and other crises in the future. Make no mistake, everything we do will, and must change post-Covid-19.
This article offers the following thoughts on how the Caribbean can begin to navigate towards the “next new normal.” I will elaborate on these ideas in a subsequent publication.
Fundamental Improvements in Pandemic Preparedness and Health Systems
The health crisis has exposed the Caribbean’s (and the world’s by and large) ill-preparedness to deal with pandemics. Of necessity therefore, the region needs a quantum shift in its approach to pandemic preparedness as well as substantial improvements in public health and enhancements in primary healthcare systems with attendant capacity building and institutional strengthening.
Renewed Focus on Building Resilience
Deforestation, pollution and other forms of environmental degradation exacerbate human health challenges and in turn, intensify the impacts of pandemics such as Covid-19. Indeed, the Covid-19 crisis has reinforced the imperative of building resilience in all of its forms, and resilience to pandemics must be given more prominence in the resilience-building architecture of the Caribbean. Even so, the Caribbean can ill-afford to lose focus on building resilience to climate change and must continue to invest in climate adaptation and mitigation measures and climate-resilient infrastructure. To be sure, the climate crisis remains the greatest existential threat to our humanity.
Overhaul of the Economic System and Approach to Policy Formulation
Coming out of this crisis, the region must jettison the extant economic model that isn’t rooted in moral values, which prioritizes profits over people, perpetuates income inequality, retards poverty reduction, undermines environmental sustainability and treats the deficient GDP per capita numeric as the sacrosanct measure of wellbeing and development. Of necessity, a new development paradigm is required; one that is based on a “systems-thinking and multi-sectoral” approach (rather than an incoherent, piecemeal and siloed approach) to public policy formulation. A development model that is inclusive and sustainable for current and future generations should prioritise economic, social and environmental sustainability in an integrated manner, where people and their wellbeing are the linchpin of development.
Innovation, Innovation, Innovation
The use of technology will become even more important post-Covid-19 because all facets of our lives will be different. Countries would have to operate in more resilient and sustainable ways; possibly with shorter supply chains, higher-energy-efficiency production, increased digitisation of sales and financial services, new modes of work (working remotely), greater use of technology in the education system (more online teaching) and in the agriculture sector to ensure food security, as well as in other sectors. Data systems would also have to be substantially improved to normalise the production and dissemination of real-time data and information to inform evidence-based decision making among other strategic objectives.
New Modes of Governance and Partnerships
Post-Covid-19, a new political culture and model of governance would be required. At minimum, these must promote inclusion and not division. Accordingly, citizens’ active participation in the development process must be better facilitated through entrenched and institutionalised arrangements. Protocols and compacts must be established to link citizens more directly to the decision-making process. Moreover, increased emphasis must be placed on broadening citizens’ understanding of public policies to promote country ownership of policies, foster national consensus on issues, and deepen trust between the Government and citizens. Importantly also, genuine and durable partnerships must be forged among stakeholders in the development process to promote unity and solidarity across different political, gender, class, social, age, and other real or perceived divides. Stronger partnerships within and across countries would be needed. Regarding the latter, the institutions of Caricom would need to be reshaped or perhaps even reimagined to ensure their resilience and relevance in the “next new normal” post-Covid-19.
Rebirthing of the Society
Coming out of the Covid-19 crisis our human spirits, both individually and collectively should be renewed. The crisis should teach us the importance of living a life of purpose and living life on purpose. Social interactions should improve, relationships strengthened, compassion bolstered, and joy found in the simple things of life, such as being at one with nature. Indeed, the crisis can mark the rebirthing of our societies with a renewed sense of unity, purpose and common destiny, where we all live peacefully, safely, lovingly with each other and in harmony with our natural environment.
Finally, the crisis of our times presents opportunities for rebalancing, refocusing, reshaping and re-energising systems, frameworks and underpinning institutions. Stakeholders in the development process – public sector, private sector, civil society organisations, community and faith-based organisations, youth, academia and individuals – must act with unity of purpose, collective clarity and shared responsibility to shape a more resilient and prosperous Caribbean post-Covid-19. For sure, the Covid-19 crisis is a defining moment of our times as a Caribbean people and region and we must be willing to leave the familiar without disturbing the essentials; the essentials of safety, security, health, social relationships, equality, a decent living standard and harmony with nature.
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There are several things I would like to comment on.
FIRSTLY:
The swift compliance with government directive by that nations citizens must not be taken as a sign of weakness that we will comply always to all and every government directive. We knew this was the right approach and therefore complied.
SECOND
There is no Climate Crisis, no one has died from it and it is false science. Deforestation, plastic pollution and general over consumption I agree with as damaging to the world
THIRD:
There is no mention of the Eastern Caribbean’s increased reliance on funding from The Chinese Communist Party which gave us this ‘gift’ and then tried to cover it up. Governments must seek financial and commercial support from nations which share the same values as we do.
Thank you for reading my comment
“The crisis should teach us the importance of living a life of purpose and living life on purpose”. I particularly like this thought. Too often we are too rote – we allow ourselves to be circumscribed by a desire to be liked, or better yet to be viewed a certain way. Post-Covid-19 provides an opportunity for us to be truly authentic. This means that we should not sell ourselves short of what we believe or who we are just to please someone or seek their approval.
This is a wonderful piece of work. But the masses continue to suffer under leaders who see nothing but self. Doing everything to remain in power. In order for the Caribbean to move forward boldly we need a Caribbean Spring to send a message that we need leadership for the people and by the people. When we have leaders in power for more than 2 terms there is no way we can make progress. We need political will.
“ Coming out of this crisis, the region must jettison the extant economic model that isn’t rooted in moral values, which prioritizes profits over people, perpetuates income inequality, retards poverty reduction, undermines environmental sustainability and treats the deficient GDP per capita numeric as the sacrosanct measure of wellbeing and development.”
Did you forget gender equality?
I totally agree – especially about the policy formulation and the innovation.
It’s such a shame that so many of the primary schools were unable to organize some form of distance learning. And God forbid the Caribbean lean into this me, me, mine kind of attitude that is so prevalent in the USA, eschewing social programs because it’s cutting into our big payday. We as a ppl, as small island nations, tight-knit communities, cannot afford to do that. That’s NOT how we do. According to Majah Hype in his Haitian persona “that’s the devil!” Lol. We look out for each other, lift each other up.
In shortening supply chains etc., we must also emphasize resilience in terms of farming, fisheries and agroindustries. They need to be more robust and possibly be the primary food sources – grow what we eat, eat what we grow.
Help the farmers to modernize & thrive; educate to change the mentality that working the land is degrading – teach the children how vital agriculture is; and get a handle on praedial larceny – ppl don’t want to work land if they can’t reap the benefits because “shareholders” (as my Dad calls them) tiefing all.
Our soil is too rich to have it mostly lying over-run with bush. And the fruits etc. that are rotting on the ground are touted as “organic” & “superfoods’ and sold for big money in ‘developed’ countries.
Our health will improve by eating less processed foods and so will our economy because we’ll import less and possibly even export more.
TLDR: I agree. We must also focus on sustainable agriculture & fishing. Grow what we eat, eat what we grow. Results in a healthier populace, the country mostly able to feed its population, a more robust economy.
I love the article it has insight and flavour of a society fitting for small island * states. “I left out developing purposely”
At the heart of the many challenges facing the Caribbean and its people is the issue of Poor Governance, which promotes all the issues that the article seemingly states needs to be addressed.. mis- management, corruption, cronyism , nepotism etc creates a political culture of division instead of unity . Once the region Politics are not seriously addresses them everything with remains the same or get worst post convid -19. After the recession of 2008 the said points were made . The region once the crisis ended it was business as usual. The la k of effective LEADERSHIP a serious problem in the Caribbean.
Excellent. I think it addresses the lessons that this terrible COVID 19 pandemic is teaching us by exposing the inequal, unjust and unsustainable current global and local financial, environmental and social systems inplace
very insightful article and yes, tourism should also be addressed. This is one of the biggest sources of revenue for many Caribbean islands including Grenada. The new normal would now have to entail additional screenings for corona virus of all visitors at points of exit and entry. Would need rapid testing capabilities.