Denmark’s heroic captain
When Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, who suffered cardiac arrest during Denmark’s clash against Finland, collapsed, the sporting world came to a standstill. Emotions ran high as people were stunned with what they had seen. Paramedics and doctors rushed on to the field to treat him but I was touched by the actions of Denmark’s captain Simon Kjaer, who was hailed for his crucial role in saving Eriksen’s life. Simon Kjaer wasted no time in providing the necessary support to Eriksen, including stopping him from swallowing his tongue. Kjaer was seen consoling his teammate’s wife, Sabrina, who had risen from her seat during the moment of confusion. Kjaer placed Eriksen in a recovery position while unconscious and gave CPR. While Denmark went on to lose the match, it was Kjaer’s remarkable gesture that stole the show, with many hailing the skipper as a hero. The incident brought football fans together as they prayed for Eriksen’s quick recovery. Even in Fiji, there was widespread support and prayers for Eriksen. That’s the power of sports — it unites people from all walks of life. Wishing Eriksen a quick recovery! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Commentary skills
The electrifying Euro 2020 Championships are in progress. Apart from it being a great spectacle for soccer fans, it is an opportune moment for local commentators (and would be) to polish their commentary skills. With the lead commentator, an analyst is present who caters for the technicalities. Overseas commentators add to the excitement on the field. They are never repetitive and do not primarily focus on the number of minutes and seconds finished or left for matches to finish. Overseas soccer commentators simply garnish the beautiful game. Our local ones have equal potential. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Sad reality
I read with great sadness stories of parents stealing to feed their children. While their intentions are good, resorting to illegal means has only landed them behind bars and away from their children. Sadly, this is reality. And the way things are going, more people will look for ways to put food on the table for their loved ones, even if it is illegal. As members of a community, we must all stand united and prevent such things from happening. Life is already a challenge for most of us at the moment but helping a family who is genuinely in need can be more rewarding than anything else. Why don’t you give it a try? Fulori Turaga Tacirua
Increasing requests
Minister Vuniwaqa’s comment that the increasing requests for the elderly to be placed in homes is cowardly and irresponsible (FT 16/6) reflects on her limited understanding of social change in contemporary Fiji society. To see such requests as a case of elderly neglect and abuse is reductionistic. There are many and varied reasons for such requests. Often it’s not on account of the absence of love and care but rather the ability to cope since many of the elderly require specialised care for which the people at home are not equipped. For me as a former social welfare worker in Fiji, it is truly amazing how many people continue to look after their elderly folks at home despite this. I believe if a minister made a comment like that about people placing their elderly folks in institutional home care in Australia, the minister would be minister no more the day after! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Economic standards
Once upon a time, our good government was dreaming of moulding Fiji to the living and economic standards of Australia and New Zealand. Actually, I believe they wanted to make our country “better” than theirs. Yet ironically, when the pandemic caved in, we opportunely accepted millions of dollars in aid from these two developed nations with open arms, just like an elated canine impatiently waiting to receive a bone. The fact of the matter is, such impractical and embarrassing hallucinations would make a whole lot of us, including our Pacific neighbours, LOL. Imagine the scenario of how we, a nation in financial calamity, would have coped if it were not for the timely support and funding from the Aussies and the Kiwis. Socho socho. Nishant Singh Lautoka
These ants
I have found out that these new species (or whatever) of ants do not have regard for our plants and fruits. They settle on any plant and its fruit and enter our homes as if the house belongs to them. Lines and lines of these ants move around just anywhere except flying which at the moment they are incapable of. Our own ants were just confined to their own domes on the soil only to be attracted by the sweetness of our homes that were just cooked or sweets. These new ones do not even leave the chillies alone, all the chilly plants are also loaded with their comrades. They are invading our homes while we sit and watch while locked in our homes and compounds most of the times during this pandemic period. A friend advised me not to kill them as they have been introduced for a reason. What to do? White flies, garden pests and now these ants. Cockroaches — beware. “Karais” man. Dhirendra Prasad Lautoka
Brave face
I believe the FijiFirst Government is putting on a brave face not to admit that they have done a terrible mistake to have not locked down the nation in the first 21 days when the second variant arrived from India. We have hit the three digits mark and yet there is no consideration from the Government to lock down the nation in order to strangle the spread of the delta variant. However, there is a price that we, the members of the public, will all dearly pay because of our irresponsibility and ignorance to the directives and advice of Dr James Fong and team. NANISE SOKO Suva
Roti and bele
REFERENCE is made to the article “Family of seven survives on roti and bele”. See The Fiji Times Facebook page (12/06 7.45pm). The article is based on a struggling individual in this pandemic. The article reveals the relevant details of the individual with a picture (wear-ing a mask). The mentioned article has been challenged. See Attorney-General’s Facebook page (13/06 2.13am) In a Viber message to the A-G, a “nameless and faceless” person from the same area (fears being threatened later) claims that The Fiji Times article is a false report as they have received rations three times. The claims by the “responsible and brave” person raises the curiosity bar.
Ration delivery records and the residents of the respective area should be able to reveal the truth. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Vaxy teams
I THOUGHT the COVID-19 vaxy teams would visit areas. This would be better so that people just stay in their areas. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka
People’s arrogance
THE arrogance of the people who ignore health advice is appalling. It is obvious to me that the actions of those spreading the virus, as well as the actions of that group who were training at Nasese in the early hours a few days ago, are one of sheer arrogance. There are many more like them. They seem to feel they are special and are above the law because they pretend to have faith. It appears what the health authorities say does not matter because they are doing things on their own land, in their own way and in their own time. Let me say this very clearly — you are not special, I believe you are illinformed, first-class selfish idiots and pretenders. And then they blame the Government! Now go and get vaccinated and stay at home. JAN NISSAR NSW Australia
Cause and effect
Based on occurrences in human history, it would seem to me that pandemics and epidemics tend to appear and disappear again in big cycles of peaks and troughs. This can happen either in the same form, or as a mutated variant version. Whenever it occurs, it also has its own little cycles of peaks and troughs, within those big cycles. In other words, it can suddenly appear, strike with urgent ferocity to a peak, then wanes, subsides to a low point, or even zero growth, then disappears. However, in good old cyclical fashion, it continues this trend over time, until total disappearance for possibly years and decades. It may then appear again, either as a stronger version of the same form, or as a mutated variant version — a kind of virus / disease 2.0. So it’s really small and short cycles within big and long cycles — each with their own peaks and troughs. The interesting thing is that all this in my view, don’t happen unilaterally. Human action provides both the cause and the effect. Our lifestyle, the development of medicines and related technologies and the ability for the disease or virus to develop resistance to enable survival or mutation, are directly relevant in this regard. So survival depends on us and what we do. If there were no us, there would really be no disease — period! This is very much relevant to the current pandemic. It is totally dependent on us and cannot survive on its own. It’s really like a bakewa and feeds on us for survival and it moves, when we move. So we have to take control henceforth and be in total control of this situation. We are much bigger than this microscopic scourge. It’s only strong and virulent, when we are complacent, let our guards down and feel helpless and cower in fear. When we have the faith, confidence and fortitude to overcome it, it will be soundly beaten and regret it ever came here, irrespective of whether it has a natural origin or not. That’s a long story itself, for another time. Anyway, how do we do that Sherlock? Abide by and strictly adhere to all the instructions and protocols — now and always — and be appropriately vaccinated so as to attain immunity — which is it’s death knell or farewell song. Be strong, alert, confident and in control. We are all in this together and all for one and one for all! This is a win -lose situation between us and the virus. So,the game is now afoot and in play! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Vaccinate 100 per cent
We are a fortunate nation with just close to 890,000 people when dealing with COVID-19. Larger, more populated countries are at a greater disadvantage. Here’s the solution. Our Prime Minister, our Minister for Economy, and our Health Minister need to bring in at least 1.8 million vaccine doses asap, minus what’s already been brought in to cover both the first and booster jabs and vaccinate everyone with the two jabs as fast as possible. Done! Following this, open up everything to get the economy moving again! It’s a fine line to be dealing with but I believe it’s our best way forward considering our safety from the disease, and it’s equally as important in getting our economy rolling again! Let’s not be concerned nor worried about the conspiracy theorists. We now live in the information age with everyone able to express themselves as they want and having the freedom to do so! We’ve had many vaccines over the last two centuries that have saved millions of lives. The key for Fiji then is to get vaccinated in as quick a time as possible and get moving again! So come on people! Strive to revive! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
Pay reduction
As our people struggle to put food on the table, could someone implement a 50 per cent reduction on the salaries of our Cabinet ministers, MPs, the President, the Speaker and all the permanent secretaries/CEOs. Gabe Simpson Rakiraki
Vaccination
There are a lot of ethical and legal issues pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccination. Do employers have the right to ask for the vaccination status of an employee? What are the views of our OHS and law experts? Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
Lockdown
THE members of the Opposition in Parliament had earlier called for a state of emergency and a lockdown. I believe an earlier lockdown for Viti Levu would have worked out really well with the Government’s $90 and $50 welfare assistance, Government’s food ration distribution along with the various non-government organisations’ food assistance. Well, I believe there is a price to pay if there was negligence but we can all hope and hang on for the best. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Panadol
In reply to Amol Kumar letter to the editor (FT 16/6) in regards to tablet per child is impossible by Government to hand out, and instead Panadol is possible. My mates Setoki and Veibale from Nadera asked me to ask in this forum if they can use their FNPF to buy Panadol? Moses Mani Auckland, New Zealand
COVID plans
The amount of new COVID cases per day just shows whatever plans we have in place have to be changed. It also reminds me of what Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. Sukha Singh Labasa
Letters
If The Fiji Times reprints all the letters from this period last year, it would all still be relevant, a repeat even. Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka
State’s help
In reply to Amol Kumar of Lautoka. Just an advice, appreciate what is given by the Government. Panadol or tablet, both are given for a reason. Narayan Reddy Lautoka
