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
