This war against the COVID-19 pandemic must be fought with a united front.
That’s not something we can afford to shrug aside right now.
Not when our numbers continue to rise.
Tuesday evening’s staggering 116 new cases would have attracted a lot of attention.
In fact it would have inched out great concern as well.
There would have been fear, a sense of apprehension perhaps, and uncertainty.
When you get such a huge number of new cases coming in the wake of another staggering 105 a few days earlier, there are bound to be questions asked about how we are actually dealing with the unfolding scenarios.
In the face of the rising numbers sits the overwhelming scenarios on the ground, with people fronting up, seeking food assistance. There is no hesitation.
There does not seem to be any overpowering sense to just soldier on.
It seems many people are concerned, and they are prepared to voice their concern.
They appear to have reached the end of their tolerance levels it seems.
This is to be expected when you consider the thousands of Fijians who have lost their jobs during this pandemic.
Thousands more have had massive pay cuts and thousands have had their work hours reduced.
This isn’t a pleasant scenario for anyone. It isn’t something any government wants.
But that is our harsh reality. So, given these factors, it is interesting to note that the Fiji Council of Churches has come out with its statement.
It says Government needs a “whole of society” approach to successfully combat COVID-19 while sustaining the economy.
As our front page reveals, during a Zoom meeting with Health Ministry heads, council president and head of the Catholic Church Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said the State should bring in economists to chart a clear path of economic recovery while combating the virus.
He also called on Government to remove confusion and vaccination hesitancy by delivering regular updates with a clearly defined strategy.
For whatever it is worth, this is the time to unite.
Fiji needs us all to form a united front against the virus.
On the political front, we expect a sense of co-operation and dialogue for the greater good.
There is an expectation for strong voices and guidance in terms of our economic future and sustainability as a nation.
So it is encouraging to see this line of thought beingset in motion.
Unity in the face of this pandemic is critical. It is important for us all.
At the level of individuals, our challenge is to adhere strictly to COVID-19 safety advice and rules.
We must cast aside the shackles that threaten to drag us back, and move forward with optimism.
Many people are relying on us to do what must be done, to get some semblance of order back in their lives.
We must do the right thing for ourselves, our loved ones and for our nation.
