Nevispages weekly feature by Curtis Morton Sr
The way I see it, COVID-19 (the coronavirus), has turned the world on its head.
Now, I have only read about world wars one and two and I experienced the Christena Disaster as a little boy, but this pandemic is like world wars three and four combined.
Well I newa!
And so, it’s official. We have been officially informed about what we really feared was a reality. There are two known cases in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and the dreaded prediction is: MORE TO COME.
So, our lives have been drastically changed. People have been shopping as if three hurricanes are coming at the same time. It’s referred to as PANIC SHOPPING. Toilet papers are scarce; Clorox and hand sanitizers are virtually out of style……
The government and health authorities are at their wits end, trying to provide relevant and timely advice and updated information.
The Government authorities on both islands have also implemented certain stimulus packages and strategies.
How do we fit into the picture? It will eventually come down to ME and YOU.
It reminds me of what the bible says: ‘Salvation is an individual issue.’ So, no matter how much preaching and teaching is done, what we do as individuals can harm or protect us.
We have received admonition and advice about the fact that we can never wash our hands enough using good old soap and running water and doing it in a thorough way; how to control our coughing and sneezing; eating the right foods that will serve to improve our immune system etc. You know, despite all of this, I saw a gentleman come out of his vehicle recently, on the compound of Best Buy in Gingerland and spit on the ground and walk into the supermarket like nothing happen.
Well I newa!
I still see people shaking hands and hugging up, like nobody business. I mean, it’s a tough ask right now.
Coughing and sneezing in public, are officially ‘banned.’
A friend of mine told me that recently, she was in a crowded business place and that a cough wanted to come and because she knew that she would be stared at, she almost killed herself, trying to stifle the cough.
I was in Best Buy recently and somebody let out a loud sneeze in one of the aisles and I saw a woman literally KINICAT out of the door. Usain Bolt would not have caught up with her!
People, let’s get real.
Of course, there are still a lot of things to be learnt about the dreaded virus, but let us put into practice, the things that can slow its spread.
I am also concerned about people who are mentally affected. How will the message be brought across to them? Then there is the danger of persons becoming stressed out and mentally challenged due to loss of jobs and other mitigating factors.
Hey, we have a serious problem here!
But you know, our only source of comfort and sustenance, is our God. He did promise that he will not give us more than we can bear and maybe, just maybe, it is his way by allowing this to happen, of allowing us to truly trust him.
Unfortunately, even amidst the crisis, some, instead of turning to God, are swearing, drinking and cussing even more.
It reminds me of what someone told me occurred during the tragic sinking of the MV Christena. The person described the scene then, as an amazing mixture of prayers and swear words, while the boat was sinking. In other words, some people went to their watery graves, praying for God’s mercy, while others cussed their way into hell.
We still have a choice.
We can turn to God or we can let Satan lead us to destruction.
Additionally, some careless people are adding to the drama, by sending out voice messages and other forms of fake news.
We do not know who will get the virus and we do not know who will die from it, within our federation, but the comforting thought is, if we truly give our lives to God—we will be alright—come what may.
That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?