EDITORIAL: Time does not wait

2020 has shown that nothing is set in stone and that what you least expect can happen.

Barbadians entered the year with much hope and promise, looking at the prospect of a year which was geared towards celebrating the uniqueness of this island, especially within our parishes and communities.

That started on New Year’s Day with the formal launch of the ‘We Gatherin’ celebrations at River Bay in St. Lucy. Then the island was assured that the best of the parish of St. Lucy would set the trend for the remainder of the year and the parishes which would follow.

St. Lucy to its credit put on an admirable show. Then we moved on to St. Peter, but the festivities hit a roadblock when we faced down COVID-19 and the major disruptions which it caused to the Barbadian way of life.

Be vigilant

The arrival of COVID-19 totally upended whatever plans were in place for the first half of the year. While we strive to make sure that we can live, work and have some sort of recreational activity in the face of the continuing threat of the global pandemic, we must still be vigilant where we go and how we seek to protect ourselves from the infection.

That means that we have to adhere to the protocols which have been put in place. It can be considered unnatural to observe social distancing in a country where we are known for our warmth and hospitable nature. We like to shake hands or ‘give someone a knock’, some like to hug people and we have a serious issue with pushing up close to people to talk, looking them eye to eye and seeing into someone’s soul.

All of that has to stop, in the national interest of keeping the wider population safe. Much like illegal dumping, our individual actions impact the wellness of the entire population. Think of your parents and individual elderly members of your family. Would you like your reckless lack of adherence to protocols risk the health and well-being of those who are most susceptible to the ravages of this disease?

This is why the issue of time comes into the equation. The time during which this country was locked down and movement was restricted paid dividends. The country was able to manage the spread of COVID-19 and even when it looked dire, our live cases levels did not get out of control.

That must be attributed to our healthcare professionals. They advocated a series of measures which though tough, prevented exposure of the most vulnerable and even the healthy to a disease that if allowed to enter the wider population, could have had catastrophic consequences.

Therefore, let us make the best use of this time which as the rest of the world grapples with the horrors of the disease, has so far spared this country.

We have a duty not to waste the opportunities which have been provided. We must make sure that we emerge from this period stronger and ready, and make the most of the time which we have been given.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000