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.
A universal minimum wage, a dropout-proof educational system, technical and vocational training, full employment, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, an agricultural renaissance. No more unhappy, unfulfilled Grenadians. We are witnessing how the virus sickens and kills all around the globe because these provisions are absent, because their absence is toxic.
No more unhappy, unfulfilled, unhealthy, hungry Grenadians
“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.”
This makes my heart sing.
This is what stood out for me, “we must be willing to leave the familiar without disturbing the essentials”. Good thought provoking artical let’s try to make it a reality.
Very thought-provoking insights!
“Inclusion…not division!” it’s time we join heads, hearts and hands in unity…as one people! For the greater good post-Covid.
This is an excellent article. I also think certain sectors was not covered but at the very least, it should stimulate the thoughts of the present, and can embrace the future with a focus on readiness and improvement. I think the writers insight is a valuable piece of a puzzle we will all be called upon to solve. Opportunities awaits!
Extremely theoretical article. Don’t this so called “new normal” reflects what’s going to happen to a lot of people whose income generating capacity will be cut by at least 50%. That is, by more than half.
Interesting article, maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see any mention of reviving the tourism industry. Is Grenada planning to abandon all the hotels, post COVID-19? When will they be opening the airport?
This article is focusing on long-term changes, not immediate things like opening the airport. Obviously hotels and things will open again, but what she’s saying is that tourism cannot be our main product anymore. This essentially attacks the whole neoliberal agenda, rightly saying now is an opportunity to build back in a more resilient, strategic, and equitable way. Very welcomed insight!
Excellent article to start focusing the minds of our politicians .
A
A lot of expensive words, but good intentions. I took the liberty of translating in laypeople terms.
We need to:
– Strengthen public healthcare.
– Shorten supply chains and protect our environment.
– Put people before profits. Socialism is actually A Good Thing.
– Improve processes with technology, where needed, to make everything more efficient.
– Involve local people in decisions affecting them. They usually know what needs improving.
Together, working *with* nature, we’re stronger.
Excellent article, my sister. On point!!
Very interesting article Kari! Sufficient generation of ideas to be comtemplated and explore! It will definitely be a “new post Covid” world!