Strategic move
WHAT it boils down to really is to make the right strategic move.
The bottom line and the whole focus should be to gain a win for Fiji.
Should Radradra be picked to play for Fiji against the All Blacks in the middle of July or to be in our Olympics sevens team to defend the gold at the end of July?
From a purely result viewpoint, the Test against the All Blacks has more value in terms of prestige and weight.
What better moral booster is there, during this pandemic-ravaged times, than a win against the ABs – whom we have never beaten?
In the national interest and for national service, the FRU should have much more say and be in a position to sway the choice to be made.
Let’s not pressure our hero with the burden of making a unilateral decision in something so nationally crucial.
For sevens, we already have the arsenal and ammunition in the existing squad to bring back the second gold.
So, they have enough sevens know-how and X-factors, without the need for the “semi-trailer”, to do the job for us.
We most likely have a much greater medal prospect in Tokyo with the current squad, even if it is not gold.
He will be more needed in NZ to help get us at least a historic win.
The only potholes on this road are the timelines involved, the approval for release from the Bristol Bears and meeting the COVID-19 requirements for both options.
Two things can help our cause right now though. One is for the Bears not to appear in the upcoming premiership championship semi-finals or, better still, for them to progress without his services.
Two, is for the Olympics to be cancelled, LOL! At the end of the day, national interest must be the bottom line in the strategy.
EDWARD BLAKELOCK, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Late night conference
I’M frustrated whenever my phone beeps at night and Facebook notifies me of a live press conference.
Why are they (Dr Fong and PM) appearing during odd hours at night to address our nation?
Can’t they do that during the day while our senses are still fresh and keen to listen?
Chiuu!
ALIPATE TUBERI, Suva
Boost for WOWS Kids
VIA the letters to the editor column, I wholeheartedly express my sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to the RFMF personnel who returned from Golan Heights for their kind assistance to WOWS Kids Fiji to boost its work in the battle against cancer in children.
This timely donation came just at the right time as WOWS Kids Fiji finds it difficult to do activities that it publicly used to do.
WOWS Kids Fiji relies on donations as this COVID-19 pandemic has restricted them from doing fundraising.
Vinaka vakalevu to the RFMF Golan Heights contingent for coming on board to assist WOWS Kids Fiji!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Hope and prayer
NOT intending to ruffle feathers with the religious enthusiasts but I believe no amount of “hope and prayer” will assist us in repelling COVID-19.
We have been praying ever since the virus hit our shores more than a year ago and I honestly do not anticipate a spiritual phenomenon anytime soon.
I believe what we need is to immediately formulate more practical or “real world” strategies to minimise and contain this vile threat.
It reminds me of our 7s team in the past where they were more dependent on the good “Lord” to win matches rather than focusing on the actual game plan.
NISHANT SINGH, Lautoka
Time will tell
AFTER my pre-dawn brisk walk over 62 minutes and 5.39 kms (7022 steps), (Monday, June 14) it is indeed worryingly troublesome and most scary to read Fiji is showing such disheartening stats in the previous 24 hours… a staggering 105 cases.
Sadly, some citizens cannot adhere to clearly laid out medical sciences and protocols.
The COVID law cannot be followed.
Why is it so hard to some?
Will Fiji later regret and pay big time for our complacency?
People are too bold now.
They simply flout the law.
There is no real clear visible enforcement on our roads even during my predawn brisk walk.
No bookings; No fines; Toso ga vavitalia o keda. Our hardworking police officers are only human.
They too have limits.
But most of all, they have families to feed and look after. Similarly, our doctors and nurses including all support staff.
Also to all our military officers, our heartiest thanks to you all.
Words are not adequate enough. I know, deep down, many of you are tired, frustrated and exhausted.
Prayers are inadequate sometimes when human limitations set in.
Fiji will be judged most unfavourably with such alarming COVID statistics.
No ifs; No buts.
We will be sorely judged. Time will tell. Wait and see.
RONNIE CHANG, Martintar, Nadi
COVID cases
I OFTEN hear officials and, to some effect, “There has been more COVID-19 cases, however, so and so number is from known clusters”.
What does that mean, is it supposed be make us feel better or safe?
For me, a COVID case is a COVID case, whether it’s border, same cluster or local.
Or can someone enlighten me please.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON, Kava Place, Lautoka
Smart economics
A FRIEND of mine had a discussion regarding the COVID assistance and economics that surrounds it.
It was noted that it took five days for Government to pump $11.2 million to over 224,000 Fijians to be supported during this pandemic.
In return it took two to three days for the recipients to put the same back into the financial markets.
Some bought their essentials that they were in need while others who were not desperate spent on alcohol, grog, cigarettes and non-essential items.
The arrests by police where alcohol and grog drinking violators are on the rise proves it all.
All in all, we regard this as “smart economics” irrespective of the consequences.
ROUHIT KARAN SINGH, Lautoka.
Poverty level
I BELIEVE the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened our level of national poverty and Mr Government sir should recognise this.
WISE MUAVONO, Balawa, Lautoka
COVID-19 fight
HOPE for the best, prepare for the worst.
Since this is the best way forward taking the current scenario into account, we are adopting the targeted lockdown approach to stem out this virus and hoping that cases will begin to decline in days to come, as alluded to by our health experts.
On the flip side, it is good to learn that we are in discussion with our Australian counterpart on a contingency plan should the situation worsen.
I believe our combat strategy for COVID- 19 pandemic should be to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
PRANIL RAM, Votualevu, Nadi
Fiji Sixes
THE back in history pages in The Fiji Times reminds me of the Fiji Sixes.
Winners who are still around would not have forgotten about it.
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF, Natabua, Lautoka
Tablet per child
IN RESPONSE to Narayan Reddy (FT 15/6/21).
I believe this Government at the moment won’t be able to give one tablet per child but surely they can give Panadol.
AMOL KUMAR, Lautoka
Cling to hope
HOPE is strength, once you remove that, you weaken the happiness, optimism, productivity and the enhancement of self.
NIGEL FIU, Owls Perch, Lautoka
Daylight saving
SINCE getting schools to open this year is unlikely, can we start daylight saving earlier this year so that it doesn’t end before we even get used to it?
KIRAN KHATRI, Samabula, Suva
Lack of food
IT’S interesting to read how the residents of Muanikoso settlement in Nasinu and villagers of Nawaka Village in Nadi protested because of the lack of food and other essentials in their homes.
To wash, dry, and re-use used baby diapers, says a lot.
However, this shouldn’t even be the case.
Our country has been through a lot more worse over the years and we’ve always come out standing tall and proud.
It’s our spirit of veinanumi and veilomani that has always kept us together.
Let us join hands and work together to help our brothers and sisters who are genuinely in need in this trying time.
As John F. Kennedy eloquently stated: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”.
FULORI TURAGA, Tacirua
Vaccination rollout
WHILE we eagerly await our Fiji team v All Blacks later this year, thanks to the Pacific Nations finally being included; the biggest race event in Fiji right now is vaccination rollout for herd immunity versus spread of COVID-19, especially severe case increases.
They will come, if we don’t win this very present battle.
Or shall I say, safer public persons versus hospital cases of COVID-19 and overcrowded amenities unable to care for all sick people, not just COVID-19 cases, everyone who is sick.
Or, is the debate fake news versus the real news; or human rights ‘political correctness’ versus practical COVID realities of keeping safe work areas, employers insisting on vaccines for workplace safety to avoid huge legal precedents of culpability versus employees demands for their free choice?
Have your choice, but perhaps not your job? Be right, all fine, but be jobless for your insistence?
And so it goes on and on.
What a cantankerous lot we thinking humans are.
Hopefully, COVID-19 can bring us together as it is, in more ways than one, as the great leveller is will prove to be.
Regardless of socio-economic status, COVID-19 kills and maims.
Many are already showing their strength of character to help and assist, and do what we can each day, to make Fiji the place we all love, care about, and call home together.
Keep up the faith Fiji.
We can do this.
JEAN HATCH, Nabua, Suva
Employer v employee
PLEASE would the authorities advise the public, immediately, of the employer versus employee status, concerning the COVID-19 vaccination?
As an employer whose business involves children, my primary responsibility is the welfare and health of the children and coaches who are in my care.
Can I or can I not, exclude an employee from work when they refuse to be vaccinated?
Obviously, COVID-19 should be classified as a notifiable disease.
COVID-19 is not only highly infectious, but there are people with COVID-19 who have no symptoms and yet can pass it on: these are the ‘asymptomatic’ people.
They have COVID-19 but do not know they are sick.
Therefore it is up to all of us to behave as if we are sick, for our own sake and for the sake of others Surely COVID-19 is already understood to be notifiable: which is why testing is done and quarantine and lockdown facilities are in place, crossborder and locally.
What are our employer choices?
Are we to accept that our workers and those in our care must take second place to those who care nothing for the fact that they might be asymptomatic and turn up to work and possibly cause a super-spreader event?
Or can we say: sorry – no vaccination, no work?
Right now, and for the future, with some people still at work, if we accept the presence of an employee who has refused to be vaccinated and passes COVID-19 to those for whom we are responsible – who will be at fault?
The employer for permitting an unvaccinated person to mingle at will with others?
Or the unvaccinated person who believes that he or she is somehow immune?
Our Prime Minister, Attorney-General, and Dr James Fong need to clarify the employer / employee status immediately: for now, and for the future.
SUE CAUTY, CEO, Gymnastics Fiji, Pacific Harbour
