The numbers are spiralling out of control.
We have far too many positive cases and far too many deaths reported daily.
In fact by the time we sit back and ponder on this frightening scenario, many of us will actually know some of the positive cases.
That’s just how small the area of infection is, and the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Right now isn’t the time to be pointing fingers anymore.
We can rue the many shortcomings, and decisions made since the initial cases in Nadi in April.
We can get frustrated by the decisions made since then, the scenarios that unfolded, and the spike in cases over the recent months.
It is a major concern.
We are now in the fight for our lives.
We can only wonder whether our health system is doing well, handling the cases before us.
We hope that the cases will come down. We hope that we can all contribute to flattening the curve.
Permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong announced 1301 new cases of COVID-19 for the 24-hour period that ended at 8am on Thursday.
He said 293 cases were from the Western Division and 1008 cases were from the Central Division.
There were 245 new recoveries reported since the last update, which meant there were 20,200 active cases.
He said 17,774 active cases were in the Central Division and 2426 in the West.
These numbers are just too high.
They are worrying.
They are frightening.
Again we will continue to look up to the powers that be to make tough calls for the sake of the nation.
These numbers must come down, and very soon.
That curve must be flattened, as soon as possible.
So whatever your take is on the response from the powers that be, we simply cannot just sit back and wait.
We must act now.
Today!
In fact we should have been acting from yesterday.
But we can only do so much.
So let’s do the little things that we know will work to protect us.
Let’s not get the virus.
Let’s adhere to COVID-19 protocol.
Let’s keep good physical distancing.
Let’s wash our hands often with soap and water, or use a hand sanitiser.
If you are in public, do not touch your face at all.
Wash your hands before you dare to touch your face.
Wear a mask properly every time you venture out in public.
Watch where you place your hands on public transport or even at the local supermarket.
Advise people to keep their distance from you in public.
Don’t ever be complacent.
It is obvious by now that many of us know of COVID-positive patients.
They may be friends or loved ones.
We wish them well, and hope they will recover.
In the meantime, let’s do all we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
Let’s fight the virus.
Our 7s rugby victory at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan united a nation.
We celebrated the great achievement.
We dared to hope, and our team delivered.
We punched above our weight, and moved the world with our story.
There were sacrifices made, and the world now knows how much the win means to the people of Fiji.
We have a war to fight now.
We need that sense of unity once more.
We need that sense of purpose once again.
Let’s do this Fiji.
