Will we ever get well again?
THEY say nothing lasts forever, especially if you’re a victim of chik-V. Technically, I’m supposed to be in the midst of healing, but truth is, there are moments when I can hardly differentiate between last week mash-up and today’s struggling to determine which side I’m on. To be honest, things are not as bad as they were at the beginning of the awful journey. One thing to be grateful for is that the politics of chik-V has eased off a bit. Hope has returned for which I am duly grateful.
So, let us get on with living. My legs still itch, my head is not afraid to hurt, and I definitely cannot challenge any distance, short, long, or in-between. The talk of the day is not such about chik-V now as Ebola. I dislike the word. I don’t even want to see it much less hear it. Now that the dreaded E word has found itself nearer home, I’m surprised to see we’ve added it to the list of trials and tribulations and have begun dropping it into everyday conversation. I can think of any number of other nouns which I would rather have in my vocabulary than that of one of the world’s most lethal diseases. I don’t need it, please.
The minister of health had better be aware that every move, every word is being tracked. Already it is being asked: What does he intend
to do? What are the preparations for this one? The media is already asking: Where are the isolation centres? We seem eager to want to face the foe. Not me. Some say we should be approaching it with a spirit of courage, pretending that we’re not afraid of anything. Well, I am. It is a stupid person who knows no fear.
The authorities would do well to avoid even a semblance of bravado. There are many questions to be answered, and I hope that we approach the subject seriously and sensibly. The fact that Ebola has entered the borders of the USA is more than wake-up time, which should serve to anchor its reality. We don’t have one more day to waste in politics and tracing.
Over in Havana, I am told, Cubans are doing all in their power to prepare. Are we making any link with them? Please, Dr Ferguson, we shouldn’t delay, if you don’t want to be buried again beneath an avalanche of disrespect right here at home. It is hard for some people to accept that there are those who care for others and will sacrifice their time and effort. The pharmacists in the public places, in particular, are putting in some serious hours at work. If they have a rare minute to catch their breath, they will tell you of the punishing hours which they spend on their feet. Not everybody appreciates it, but what has to be done?
Food For The Poor is giving a helping hand by supplying some of the medication to be distributed to the aged and needy. I hope somebody is going to keep an eye out for the ever-present crooks who will not hesitate to play their part. Thieves are not known to have conscience.
Who among us is not ashamed of the robbery of a wheelchair from a woman with a disability who was relieved of her sole means of transportation while earning her livelihood? She has been fortunate enough to get her chair replaced but it should never have happened in the first place. The able-bodied should be on the lookout to assist those in need. While all this is going on, don’t be surprised to discover that a thickening layer of cynicism is adding to our discomfort. To hear some of the things people say about each other, the absence of human feelings for others less fortunate, where is that coming from?
I was told of a gentleman with a disability who was ordered out of his wheelchair for a clean search by an officer at one of our airports. As it has been told to me, no amount of explanation could persuade the officer that the gentleman wouldn’t be able to manage outside of the chair. How could anyone in a position of authority not know or accept that a man with a disability would not be able to stand on his own two feet? Something wrong with us?
Parliament has just passed legislation to ensure that people with disabilities will receive fair treatment within the precincts of the House. Without the proper facilities if it is going to be only chat with no backative, then it might as well be left alone. Let us stop pretending to be serious.
Country politics: Whatta gwaan outta Westmoreland, the same place where we saluted the spirit of the superb Roger Clarke. It doesn’t surprise me though, I expected nothing less. Ahh sah!
Think again: Should workers sacrifice two important days on the calendar of national
events — Emancipation Day, Independence Day –to maintain productivity schedules? Mr Lascelles Chin might want to think again. There must be an alternative. There are some things which still matter to ordinary people. Some things are even more important to them than
we believe.
Respeck! to colleague Wyvolyn Gager who will be monitoring the Mozambique elections shortly. You go, girl. Show them Jamaican woman strength.
Wise move: Luciano says no thanks to an African tour right now. The Ebola business nuh nice. Nutten wrong wid careful man keep sound bone.
gloudonb@yahoo.com