Bula.
There were eight more new COVID-19 cases announced tonight in a news release by the Department of Information. You can read all about this on Page 2.
Parliament will also convene from tomorrow. The order paper for tomorrow was released after 8pm. You can read about this online.
Here are some stories that made the headlines in The Fiji Times’ edition for Tuesday, May 25.
PAGE 1
Meet basic needs
THE basic needs of the most vulnerable and those on the margins should be met before a complete shutdown of Viti Levu is considered to bring the COVID-19 outbreak under control, states civil society organisations.
Alleged slaying in high seas
Salote Raluve, 62, is still reeling from news of the alleged slaying on the high seas of her younger brother, Qiritivabea Cagilabakomeli, 42. He had just returned from a fishing trip two days before and was not keen on going out on another fishing venture.
REFLECTIONS
But first, let’s pause here for a moment to ponder on a scenario that we have to live with.
When the permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong announced the staggering number of COVID-positive cases on Sunday, he mentioned another important issue.
In fact the announcement late that night of more cases, taking the total to 24, would have been met with great concern. It would have inched out uncertainty, anger, frustration to a large extent, and a sense of fear.
Then the kicker came when Dr Fong announced a number of recent cases admitted they did not observe proper physical distancing as they moved about the community and attended social events such as grog parties.
It was again a staggering moment for thousands of Fijians who were actually adhering to directives the good doctor had been delivering to the masses over the past few weeks.
It wasn’t a pleasant moment at all.
For thousands of people stuck at home without a job, it would have been like a hit in the stomach.
It is unfortunate that there are still many Fijians flirting with the law. They are disregarding physical distancing rules, and putting other lives at risk.
It is unfortunate that there are some Fijians who continue to show no concern and mercy, and give no second thought to prolonging the suffering of thousands of people around the country by their actions. It is difficult to comprehend the suffering around the country.
There are families who may be able to have bread and butter today, but do not know what to put on their table tomorrow. Thousands of people have lost their jobs.
Thousands more are working reduced hours, and many have taken massive pay cuts. The last thing they want is a prolonging of the current phase of active cases.
These families just want some semblance of order back in their lives.
It may not be the same as pre-COVID, but they want food on their table.
Many are struggling with rent, repayments for various items they have bought, mortgage and car loans, and just been able to buy basic items.
We can only wonder about the number of people who may have exhausted their funds from FNPF, or their savings, and are looking at a bleak future.
In the face of all these scenarios sits our challenge.
So what can we do as a nation? We can all adhere to physical distancing rules.
Let’s wash our hands often with soap and water, or use a hand sanitiser. Let’s not shake a hand or hug someone outside our bubble.
Perhaps the most important thing we can do is to simply stay home. Keep out anyone who isn’t part of your bubble. Limit travelling outside unless it is absolutely important to do so. If you do go outside in public, wear a mask and keep a safe distance.
We can do the right thing for ourselves, our loved ones, and for the country. But we must choose to want to do this!
PAGE 2
Fiji’s active COVID cases
FIJI now has 97 active COVID-19 cases in isolation after five new cases were reported as of 4pm yesterday.
Vaccination not a requisite to movement
VACCINATION is not a major requisite for approval of those wishing to move between containment zones, says Ministry of Health’s permanent secretary Doctor James Fong.
Mixed reactions
THERE were mixed reactions to the long queues as Fijians rushed to get their AstraZeneca jabs yesterday.
PAGE 3
Slain fisherman’s family
THE family of slain fisherman, Qiritivabea Cagilabakomeli, 42, is still trying to come to terms with his alleged demise on board the ill-fated fishing vessel Tiro II.
Meet basic needs before shutdown
CIVIL society organisations say a complete shutdown of Viti Levu to bring the COVID-19 outbreak under control should only be executed if the basic needs of the most vulnerable and those on the margins are able to be met.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Check out letters to the editor on Pages 8 and 9.
PEOPLE
In this ever-popular section, you can read about: APETE TAMANI
One of Apete Tamani’s biggest regrets is the years he spent behind bars for making some questionable decisions. Today, he spends a considerable amount of time talking to the youths in his village of Namada, Nadroga, about making the right choices and choosing the right friends.
BUSINESS – InsideSTORY
KGF expects downturn
THE Kinetic Growth Fund expects the economic downturn would continue for some time therefore it is unable to predict with any certainty the impact it would have on its business.
There’s more inside.
SPORTS
The big one on the back page is about: FIFA Standing Committee election
FIJI Football Association vice-president Aiyaz Musa and prominent Ba lawyer Samuel Ram have been elected as members of the FIFA Standing Committee for the next four years.
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
I have been getting calls from people who miss the newsprint version. In this lockdown period, you could try reading the newspaper on the e-Edition platform. It’s easy to hook up via mPaisa! You can contact us for details on https://www.fijitimes.com/subscribe/ or you can call Setaita on 7754078, or on 3304111 during office hours, to assist you.
You could also just follow a few steps and read The Fiji Times a few minutes later, live and direct! Here are the simple steps to follow:
1: Log onto www.fijitimes.com 2: Select the SUBSCRIBE tab. 3: Register. 4: Select mPaisa payment option!
Try it! It’s a different experience!
