From the Editor-in-Chief’s desk: Your May 15 briefing

Bula vinaka.

For residents of Suva and Nausori, we are now counting down the minutes to lockdown.

Here are some stories that made the headlines in The Fiji Times’ edition for Saturday, May 15.

The big one on Page 1 is again on COVID-19 and the lockdown.

PAGE 1

Healthcare official’s plea

A senior healthcare official battling the corona virus daily from the front lines has pleaded with the public to be responsible and follow advice on COVID-19 medical advice.

Border exchange

HUNDREDS of people rushed to the Sawani containment border, Nausori, and the Nakasi 9 miles border yesterday to exchange goods for farm produce and vegetables.

There are more stories on Pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 24 and 25.

REFLECTIONS

Let’s pause for a moment here to reflect on the looming lockdown.

As residents in Suva and Nausori go into total lockdown over the next few days until Wednesday morning, we are buoyed by the fact that the majority of Fijians are in tune with what is expected of them.

They know what is required.

They value the importance of why they must stay home. They understand the need for us to make huge sacrifices over the next few days.

This is important.

This is how we must fight the COVID-19 virus. Together! There must be unity. There must be a commitment to be accountable for our actions.

There must be value placed on keeping ourselves safe, and appreciating the lives of our loved ones.

The sacrifices we make now are important.

This is a critical moment in our lives. It is a moment in time for our nation, when there must be a concerted effort made to take charge of our destiny.

So let’s focus on our little bubbles and keep them safe. Let’s adhere to physical distancing rules.

Let’s stay home! Contact the numbers provided if you have issues with food.

In the face of that sits this rather disturbing scenario.

Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu once again reminded members of the public to adhere to directives from authorities.

His statement came in the wake of the arrests of people between Wednesday night and today for breaching health restrictions and curfew orders.

There were 15 arrests recorded in the Southern Division including a 35-year-old man who was arrested for loitering during curfew hours at Raiwaqa in Suva. Five people were arrested at Poorva Rd in Makoi, Nasinu, “for intoxication, as well as four, including two juveniles who were found drinking at Tamavua-i-Wai”.

Two alcohol-related cases, he said, were recorded at Marata Village in Wailoku, while three people were arrested at Raiwaqa for drinking alcohol inside a bus.

Eight arrests were recorded in the Western Division where five people were found drinking alcohol in Navoci, Nadi, while a 33-year-old man was found loitering along the Field-40 area in Lautoka.

Two cases of breaching the containment zones from Nadi to Lautoka, he said, were also recorded.

There were 13 people arrested in the Eastern Division, including 10 people who were found playing volleyball at Naikabula settlement in Levuka, and among those arrested were three juveniles.

It is unfortunate that this is actually happening.

This is the harsh reality of what we are facing as a nation.

We are fighting much more than the virus.

We are also fighting perceptions, different opinions, culture, and tradition perhaps.

Let’s be clear though, no one is immune from the harmful effects of the virus. No one!

As a nation, we can make or break or break this latest outbreak.

The ball is truly now in our court so to speak. So let’s do this Fiji! Stay home!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We have seven pages of letters to the editor. Check out the different views on various topics of interest. Writers speak their mind, and raise interesting points. It’s the pulse of the nation!

BUSINESS

Remember there’s a lot to read and learn about in the business section. Check it out!

ENTERTAINMENT

Check out the entertainment section inside.

MOTORING

It’s about motoring, and much more.

FEATURES/OPINION

This is a very popular section of the weekend edition. It’s a must-read. We have a list of writers who touch on various topics of interest. Check it out.

Dr Mumtaz Alam – Holocene or Anthropocene

THE term Holocene appears to have been first suggested by Sir Charles Lyell in 1833 and taken by the International Geology Congress in Bologna in 1885, in post glacial geological era in the past 10 to 12 thousand years of history.

Ajay Bhai Amrit – Let’s fight this virus together

As the nation plunges further into uncertain times, we are all anxious at the handling and what direction we will be going towards as the pandemic continues.

Sadhana Sen – Heart-wrenching

Alongside the myriad stories of closed borders, unemployment, struggling health systems, surging COVID cases and accompanying increase in poverty, there is another heart-wrenching COVID-19 experience – not being able to be with loved ones in their last days on earth.

John Kamea – FT Anniversary

Thousands of people throughout Fiji, from school children to elderly Girmitiyas, paid tribute to the foundations of the Indian community yesterday in colourful ceremonies at many different centres.

Neil Sharma and Neelesh Goundar – COVID-19 health crisis

On April 18 2021, Fiji marked 365 days since the last case of COVID-19 “outside of border quarantine transmission”.

Arvind Mani – Do we need pundits

There was a piece of news in one of the dailies (10/5) that pundits were told not to mislead devotees. Sarju Prasad, the national president of the Shri Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha cautions people to be careful and verify information given by a pundit if they are in doubt.

Ilaitia B. Tuisawau – Cyberattacks and contact tracing apps

Last week, we saw a real-world consequence of a successful cyberattack clearly highlighted with the closure of one of the US’ largest trans-continent fuel pipelines (from Texas to New York) because of ransomware.

Jessica C. Lee – Taiwan can help

While Fiji was moving on the path of preparedness for border reopening and quarantine-free travel bubbles with Australia and New Zealand, with no transmission cases for a year, the Indian B1.617 variant suddenly attacked the borders and force lockdowns across the Viti Levu last month.

Vishal Prasad – Eat a healthy diet

With the presence of COVID-19 more prevalent than ever, there are millions of families affected by this world-wide.

SPORTS

The big one in Sports is about: FIJIANA 15s coach Senirusi Seruvakula says the door for selection into his team for the Women’s Rugby World Cup is still open.

GET A COPY

There’s a lot to read inside. You’ll have to get a copy though to know what we are talking about. Happy reading!

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