COVID-19 - Things We Take for Granted

I have been quietly observing how things have been progressing as it relates to COVID-19 in the British Virgin Islands and in the world. The one thing that stands out to me is that we take a lot of things for granted. We sit and assume a lot too; but the fact is that people are out there struggling silently. COVID-19 has forced us to rethink the way that we conduct daily life and interact with the community around us. Daycare facilities and schools are closed. Teachers are working from home as well as a variety of persons within the community. We have a mandated "No Mask, No Service" policy across the territory. A social distancing policy has also been developed and is being enforced for all sectors of businesses as they reopen. Most of what was mentioned is simple and easy to abide with. Right? 

With daycare facilities and schools closed, it means that parents have to ensure that they have adequate childcare. This is a challenge because we no longer live in extended family homes. Grandma, Auntie, Mommy, Daddy and older siblings are all working, so there is no-one home to watch the children. Parents are struggling to pay bills, so which one is going to stay home to mind the children while the other goes out to work. Bills continue to come in and now a computer and tablet or phone are needed for children to learn at home. Did I forget to mention the increased use of the internet at home may mean a higher and more costly internet package? If you are lucky like me, then you have the great option of working from home while driving yourself nuts working, helping children and still trying to make a meal because there are just not enough hours in the day. Did I forget to mention that the phone never stops ringing and 'pinging' so you can never real cool down and relax properly?

Of course, after one settles the family, and it is time to go out, we have the fun task of wearing a mask. Masks are an excellent way of ensuring that germs from your mouth do not impact others. However, wearing one for a long period can uncomfortable. Therefore, we have to learn to balance our movements well. Can errands be spaced out so that you are not running around in one day to several places with long lines, but instead over two days? Are you drinking enough water during the day? Could what you stood in line for be done online? Or would a messenger service be able to take care of it for a reasonable price?

Even as I think about going back to church, I am still wrapping my head around singing with a mask on. Clergy may worry about tithes not being paid but just as we are comfortable with buying from Amazon stores that we have never seen, the same way we should be comfortable paying offerings via other means. I actually think that churches should encourage members to pay a portion of their tithes towards helping others that are needy in the community. As I said in my opening statement, we take a lot for granted, and churches can use this opportunity to help those in need - the laid off, the youth without access to the technology for online learning or the senior who is unable to access the needed services.

We see each other every day looking beautiful and composed. However, as you speak to people and actually ask them how their family is doing and coping, you realize that many are taking on heavy burdens. Some are worried or frustrated, while others cannot cope. I have been trying to express appreciation to people work with me because I can see that some are running thin. We watch some of the others who may not be as engaged and assume things about them too but we don't know their worries - their families, their ailments, their bills or the status of their mental health.

If you take one thing away from this blog post, let it be that we really need to be our "brother's keeper". You can't save or help everyone but for who you can bless with a kind word, a small token or even a compliment, please do so.

Ribbon

Recorded Poem: Living Positively by Linette

I have recorded my poem, 'Living Positively' and posted it on YouTube. Go to https://youtu.be/5DCGSKoUQKQ to view.

My Thoughts as BVI Heads into Final Hours Before Curfew - COVID-19

On March 30, 2020, I wrote a blog entry titled, "My Thoughts on COVID-19 as the British Virgin Islands Records Third Case". Today is the last day that persons can move freely around the British Virgin Islands because we are heading into a mandatory 24-hour curfew. Only persons deemed as essential workers will be allowed to move around to go to work and then return home. This has caused quite a stir for many people because it means no work, no ability to buy food, continuing to take full time care of children and elderly relatives, no barbershops and salons, no church, no liming and more of being home only.

As we headed to the grocery stores over the past few days, we saw that compliance continues to be a concern for our territory. Persons did not adhere to the guidelines to shop daily by surnames and there were few good examples of social distancing. Everyone ran out early in the morning to go to the stores and of course, that caused extensive waits, panic, panic shopping, persons got ill and traffic issues.

I tried to maintain decorum in every place that I went on my assigned day and I had no issue. People were polite and helpful. I also assisted in any little way that I could and I smiled. I waited a few hours to get into the store as well but when I was not chatting, I was doing a crossword puzzle or uploading pictures of me doing crossword puzzles on social media. I had learned to make the best of situations from a long time ago.

I was also asked to assist with a project and it did not take me long to agree to assist. I am still tired but when I thought about the few who did it for most of the day, I was happy that I lent my support. As a result, I benefited even though that was not what I was expecting. 

With a few more hours left before full lock-down, I am looking at the amazing weather and thinking about what else I can plant in my garden and what space I can use. I am planning to record some poetry and do some crafts with my children. We will also be launching some surveys to get people's opinions on what we create. I look forward to doing some drawing and coloring too - if we can find the crayons. I'll be attending church online as well.

I have seen many people post pictures of the food they have prepared; I have been doing that for years. It does not entice me like before. I prefer to share the joys of the "farm" part of the"farm to fork" philosophy. 

Blogging is one of my passions and I will continue to maintain it within this period, while balancing whatever work assignments are given while working remotely. I find that I sleep better now and I have less back pain. After all, I have already mentioned to my supervisor that I would be happy to work from home. I am a pusher and I will get my work accomplished once I have the tools, and Google if the tools foul up.

I take this opportunity to applaud the Public Service's Health Ministry and all Health Professionals for their diligence and hard work. I also appreciate the efforts of the Premier and his team for their leadership. I cannot forget the various religious sects for their prayers and supplications; and of course, the supermarkets, gas stations, hardware stores and other vendors for enduring us for the past few days. 

When we step away from the 24-hour curfew, I say that the cleaners, sanitation officers, janitors and other cleaning professionals should be the MVPs on every team. They are the one of the key human resources because their work impacts our health and well-being in the workplace. Be kind to these professionals and pay them well.

I pray that everyone remains safe and the BVI will not have anymore confirmed cases. I also pray for the entire world that people will recover, the grieving will be comforted and the homeless and hungry will be attended to. It is a trying time but how we reach out to each other will make the difference.

Linette

Ribbon

My Thoughts on COVID-19 as the British Virgin Islands Records Third Case

COVID-19 or the Novel Coronavirus evokes different emotions for people all over the world. It has made me shift the way that I interact and now, even the way I work. People have different conspiracy theories as to what is really happening and what may have caused the outbreak. Of course, there are many theories on the cure and preventative measures.

There is one constant in all of this - the people of the world are hurting for each other. As I look at the current global death toll from this virus, the numbers - 30,000 plus would equate to the population of the Virgin Islands where I live, where I love and where I have grown up. This is truly staggering and my heart goes out to the sick persons, their families who must isolate and also to those who are grieving.

We are not in the world we used to be in anymore. Travel was everybody's great dream. People would brag about being to Australia or to France or to my Virgin Islands. Promoters would rant about the numbers of persons who attend their events. Educators would brag about graduation rates and the numbers in attendance. Politicians would gladly share how many people attended their rallied. Pastors would brag about their lavish sanctuaries and the numbers filing in weekly.

Today, we stand still. We stay at home to save lives. We wash our hands like we always should have and we keep our hands from our faces - like we always should have. Many complained that we were not social enough because of social media. However, social media just enhanced our communication - we were still social. 

Now we are practicing social distancing, which I think is an oxymoron. People are all stressed about being at home and I smile at their concerns because I love being at home. I can garden, play music, watch videos and be creative in the kitchen or with crafts. My children have their school work and other activities that we can do together. The place is peaceful and the close neighbor hails out like they always did.

I watched the ocean this morning from my porch and said to myself that the ocean animals must be happy. I don't know if I was influenced by various reports that the ozone layer was healing. I'm not even sure if that is true. I even heard that as we were getting close to lock-down in the territory, that people were purchasing seeds and garden implements. I'm very happy for that.

From last year, my children encouraged me to start a garden. I had gotten frustrated because of the issues we have with loose livestock. However, we persevered and I am proud of our progress. I share my progress on Facebook with my friends and in the groups dedicated to this cause. I would love for people to become jealous of me and my yard work because I want them to be inspired to outdo me. If we plant more food, while we know we won't have ideal food security, we will be one step closer. We would be healthier and 'less bored' in times that call for us to stand still.

COVID-19 is very serious and nothing to joke about. Regardless, of our various thoughts and ideals, the facts are clear - people are getting sick and are dying. Therefore, this is the ideal time for us to:

1. be our brothers' and sisters' keepers by heeding the guidelines given in our respective countries
2. wash our hands and keep our hands out of our faces
3. stay at home if we are sick and call our healthcare providers
4. eat healthy and exercise
5. plant one thing that your family can use - herbs are a great way to start
6. stay in contact with friends and family - they need us more than ever
7. be good to others as you would have them do for you
8. heed what your government has asked - social distance, stay inside etc

Ribbon

Haiku Poem Examples

1.

captivating scenes

beauty in shape and color

flowers, fruits and fun

2.

Eden's gateway calls

reflecting heaven on earth

a garden of thought

3.

revived revelry 

rivalry not encouraged

a garden arose

4.

the way to find peace

nature embodies true love

peace will be revealed

© Linette Rabsatt 2020

Acrostic Poem: Freedom

Finally feeling that finite moment

Red reams of rhythm 

Excited energy

Existence exemplified

Deep, dark and defined history

Once Objectified, often observed, overly oppressed

March! Making a Mark on a movement

Freedom!!!

© Linette Rabsatt

"Hurricane Irma Through My Eyes" Written by Young BVI Author - Amia Wheatley

In a previous blog post, I shared a review of Declan Wheatley's book, "My Favourite Beaches of the Virgin Islands".  Declan's sister, Amia Wheatley, has also published a book about her experience with a major weather event in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in September 2017. Her book is titled "Hurricane Irma Through My Eyes."

"Hurricane Irma Through My Eyes" is comprised of seven (7) chapters that give a heartfelt recount of Amia's experience with Hurricane Irma. She shared how her brother's birthday was just before the storm and about the preparations she saw happening for what would be a life changing event for many people in the BVI. She vividly expressed what she saw, felt and experienced with the Category 5 storm. She shared, "We got soaked from head to toe from the rain that came inside through the windows that we pushed against." I also can relate to being soaked because of the powerful showers that came with the storm.

She recounted the way her parents secured the doors and the peaceful change when the eye of the storm passed over the BVI. After the storm, Amia describes the clean-up work to clear debris and the camaraderie developed after the storm by everyone in the surrounding area. She also details the energy and effort it took to get to her grandmother's house after the storm. 

Many adults have shared their experiences in books, blogs and with each other. It is heartwarming to read the views from a child - her anxiety, her descriptions and her resolve. Amia Wheatley may be young but she has been able to express herself clearly about a major storm that impacted her life and caused major destruction in her homeland.