When Jamaica qualified for the World Cup Finals in 1998, Prime Minister PJ Patterson immediately declared a holiday. It was then that he made the infamous "the law is not a shackle" statement, dismissing those who criticised him.

Things are much different now in Jamaica. Inflation is up and life is much harder for Jamaicans overall. So, those who plan to be 'sick' when Jamaica's top athletes are running in Beijing should take these factors into consideration. As reported in Thursday's STAR, it is highly possible that productivity will fall as people grab an opportunity to watch the races on television.

Of course, since there are several events that Jamaica is supposed to play a prominent role in, and there are several rounds of each race, the 'sick-ness' is likely to be recurring.

We must point out to those who are planning a bout of flu around standout Olympic events, that gas and food prices will not be taking a second, much less a day, off. And while it is all well and good to be patriotic about Jamaica, and want to feel a part of what is happening in China, the athletes on show will be putting out their best efforts in their chosen field of endeavour.

A good show of support, then, would be for all Jamaicans to do their best at their productive endeavours, not slack off.

We would all like to see the Olympics as close to first-hand as possible. Slashing productivity, in order to do so, is not a way to do it. We suggest a 'TV in the office lobby where there is none.