Today With Vernon - May 25, 2021

Murals Downtown

I mentioned on air today about the beautiful murals which have been painted on the buildings along Water Lane and other areas in Kingston. I first saw the video and I decided that I will have to go Downtown and take some pictures myself. I downloaded some pictures from the Kingston Creative website which are displayed below.

Someone sent me the contact for Andrea Dempster who is in charge of the project. I hope to have a conversation with her on radio next week.

I got calls from persons in the USA about the murals and this encouraged me further to highlight this project. 

I wonder if old time downtown come back again? We wish Andrea Dempster and her team all the best. Thanks to all those in the private sector and others who are working hard for a more beautiful city.

Message from Andrea Dempster-Chung: Thanks Vernon, very much appreciate it.  Do mention the website www.kingstoncreative.org and that if people home or abroad want to donate they can do that via paypal or through the American Friends of Jamaica to get their 501(c)3 tax deduction. Both links are at www.kingstoncreative.org/donate

A Healthier You

Today I spoke with Dr. Andre Foote a dentist. It is amazing how many of us do not take care of our teeth and quite a number of us cannot afford to even take proper care of our teeth. Dr. Foote spoke about children falling and hitting their teeth which can lead to trauma to the teeth. The child can end up losing the teeth. It is best to have a dentist check it immediately to see if the dentist can do what needs to be done to strengthen the tooth.

Dr. Foote pointed out that one does not have to lose one's tooth because there are a number of options. Your tooth can be filled, you can do a root canal and have the dentist put on a cap or you can have a tooth implant. The tooth implant is the most expensive and putting in dentures is the least expensive. Persons are now moving away from putting in dentures though.

Dr. Foote said we should go to the dentist at least two to three times per year. He said that it is important that persons who have diabetes and other similar challenges to have regular dental check-ups.

All Things Covid-19

Dr. Toni-Ann Fullford Pediatrician from the Pediatric Place and the Bustamante Hospital for Children who is also the Vice President of the Pediatric Association of Jamaica, talked to me today about children having Covid-19..

She said that most children will have Covid-19 and it will be mild and they might also be asymptomatic. If a child has underlying challenges such as diabetes, high blood pressure and lupus for example, the Covid-19 can put the child in a serious situation.

I said to her that many parents carry their children to the supermarkets, and they are well protected from the virus but the children are not. Dr. Fullford said that is a real challenge because the young child can take home the virus to their parents and grandparents.

She said that adults have to set an example for the children. She also pointed our the mental challenges that children might have living under covid-19 and not being able to have fun with others..

JCF And Jobs

The Jamaica constabulary Force is now recruiting persons to join the JCF. Applicants need to have at least four CXC subjects and this should include English. Females should not be shorter that 5' 5" and men must not be shorter than 5' 7. There is also a minimum weight requirement. Applicants are also required to sit an entry exam.

Those who are interesting in joining the force can fill out a form at the website www.recruiting.jcf.gov.jm (The site is not active at this time). They can also go to one of the recruitment centres or they can send an email to  mailto:recruitingoffice@jcf.gov.jm