Bula.
The announcement tonight of another death due to COVID-19 is a sobering reminder for us all of our war against the virus.
Here are some stories that made the headlines in The Fiji Times’ edition for Friday, May 14.
The big one obviously is on the speech by the permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong.
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Second death
One death, four new cases.
Low key Eid
MEMBERS of the Islamic faith held low key Eid celebrations.
There’s more on Pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 19, 20 and 21.
REFLECTIONS
But first, let’s talk about tonight’s speech by Dr Fong.
It’s hard not to be enveloped by emotions when there is death.
You could see it in the faces of Dr Fong, and Dr Aalisha Sahukhan tonight.
It wasn’t difficult to spot the slight quiver in their voices. Overcome by the moment, by the emotional responses that they were trying to cage in, they lived the sad moment for every Fijian who was able to watch the live feed on the government site. Sadly this wasn’t on national television or covered by the media live.
Death is inevitable. But death under these circumstances can be overpowering.
We see it happening around the world as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads rapidly. Many Fijians have watched videos of mass cremations and burials in countries ravaged by the virus.
It’s frightening.
The announcement tonight that one of our COVID-positive patients, a woman from the recent Makoi cluster, was entered into intensive care after her condition began rapidly deteriorating was sad.
Dr Fong said: “I’m sad to report that, despite the best efforts of her attending physicians, she has passed away.”
“We informed this woman’s family of her passing and offered them our sincere condolences well before making this announcement to the nation, as we wanted them to have time to process this privately. Tonight, I offer the nation my Ministry’s total commitment to spare as many families as we can from the tragedy of seeing loved ones lost to this terrible disease.”
That is a powerful message. It must resonate across every household. It must touch every heart and mind. It must leave an indelible impression on the minds of every Fijian.
As the good doctor said, this death, the second due to this outbreak, must serve as another painful reminder of the severity of the threat that we face.
We are dealing with a virus, he said, that has claimed more than 3.7 million lives around the world.
Many more Fijian lives, he warned, could all-too-easily add to that sobering figure.
But that does not have to happen! That is our challenge.
There must be optimism. There must be confidence in what we can do to fight this virus.
“The war against this virus is still winnable. Many thousands of lives can still be saved. Today, tomorrow, and every day after, for all of the foreseeable future, we will tell you what steps you can take to protect yourself and protect the ones you love,” Dr Fong said.
“Listen often, listen well, and please adhere to every word of the advice we have to give.”
So let’s adhere strictly to physical distancing rules. Let’s sneeze into an elbow or into a tissue and dispose this safely. Let’s cut out handshakes, and drop the hug. If you have to be out in public, wear a mask and do not touch your face at all even if your nose is itchy.
Remember you will end up touching a lot of things around you. Our challenge is to ensure our hands remain clean. That means not touching your face until you are able to clean your hands, and washing your hands often with soap and water, or with a hand sanitiser.
You could feel the emotions tonight. But there was also something else that stood out. Passion! And a willingness to fight the virus. Perhaps there is that bit that suggests there is no other way but forward! In the face of what is arguably one of our greatest challenges as a nation, we must overcome fear together, and be accountable, to ourselves, for our loved ones, and for the nation. We must face this as a nation. United! The message must reach every Fijian!
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Avoid contact
AVOID contact with people as much as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, says World Health Organisation director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom.
Excessive force
THE Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (HRADC) is investigating a video showing two police officers “using excessive force” while detaining a suspect.
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Village to assist infant
A village headman is pleading with the public to assist a three-month-old infant with his daily baby formula supplies as his mother is currently admitted at the Lautoka Hospital.
Basic food supplies
HUNDREDS of families living in informal settlements around Lautoka were supplied with basic food items by the Foundation for the Rural and Integrated Enterprises Development (FRIEND Fiji) this week.
Screening program
THE Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association has called on health officials to kick off its screening program in the Sugar City with the hundreds of Fijians who have recently been part of Government’s $90 cash assistance program.
Lovu Seaside access sealed
LOVU Seaside settlement residents have sealed off the only access to the settlement after a family in the area was told to self-quarantine in the past few days.
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Food ration distribution
THE Ministry of Economy will now handle the food rations distribution, says Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong.
Communications strategy
HEALTH Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said they will need to improve their communications strategy. He made the comments during a media conference on Wednesday.
Arrest for breach of restriction
FIVE military officers and a police officer were among the 38 people arrested in the last 24 hours for breaching the health restriction and curfew orders.
Rumours and unverified info
DO not believe in rumours, gossip and unverified information in relation to the COVID-19 crisis, says Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Check out the letters to the editor on Pages 8 and 9.
PEOPLE
Meet Parvesh Chand
In this popular section, you can read about: AFTER being laid off work last month as a shop assistant, 27-year-old Parvesh Chand thought it was the end of the world until he was requested by his neighbour to assist her at her market stall in Naveiwakau, Valelevu.
THE SHOPPER
Check out this section inside for shopping deals and much more.
SPORTS
Fijiana welcomes World Rugby decision
The big one in Sports is about: FIJIANA XV coach Senirusi Seruvakula has welcomed World Rugby’s decision to increase the tournament window for the women’s Rugby World Cup from 35 to 43 days.
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!
e-EDITION
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