Editorial comment – Contrasts in our lives

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Lila Wati uses this drum to store her water from WAF’s weekly supply. Picture: SERAFINA SILAITOGA

At 65 years old, Lila Wati has experienced a lot in life.

As we face the current predicament of COVID-19 cases popping up around us, forcing lockdowns and designated containment areas over recent weeks, she now has to get used to going to bed hungry.

The Lakena, Nausori resident said her family’s situation was so bad, they depended on a neighbour for food sometimes.

When her son was employed, their cupboards never went empty.

However, he lost his job when the lockdown happened recently.

“Sometimes, our neighbours give us food but sometimes when we have nothing, we just sleep without eating,” she said.

“Everyone is struggling so I cannot rely on neighbours for food every day, so we just quietly go to bed.”

Now, on the other side of the divide, music blared from a house in a part of Nasinu yesterday.

There were screams of joy, and laughter.

The party was getting lively mid-morning.

It was obvious there were inebriated participants who wanted the world to know they were enjoying themselves.

Whether it was an entertaining party within a bubble, neighbours obviously did not know.

But this is the contrast we see in some parts of the country.

This is the harsh reality of our lives.

While some families are scratching around, struggling to eat, we still have some Fijians who may be engaged in dangerous behaviour, putting lives at risk.

It is an unfortunate factor that displays contrast in how we perceive and live our lives under the circumstances.

Some of us will engage in what comforts us, disregarding the welfare of others.

We all are under great pressure.

No one likes the scenarios around us.

However, surely, we should realise that any bid for some semblance of order will require a united front.

As the permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong said recently, all COVID-safe measures should be practised calmly and thoroughly.

“Now assuming that we should be taking precautions doesn’t mean that we panic and do something stupid,” he said.

“So what we are trying to instil is this idea that it is not safe to not be COVID-safe, that’s the idea that we want to push.”

This should be the direction we take.

This should be how we come together as a nation.

This is what families like Lila Wati’s want us to do.

They are staring at a blank wall right now.

We should be united to fight the virus together, do the right thing, and get back some semblance of order, for ourselves, our loved ones, and for our country.

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