Dear Editor,
Let me start by reminding everyone to keep a safe distance from each other. and do the safest thing, which these days is to STAY HOME..
I have not had much of the usual contact with people since COVID-19 and even though I did not agree with certain things done, I have not written about it because I give priority to the cure or alleviation of that virus. Then on the 17th, I got a call asking me what I think about that piece written by the PPA leader. I looked it up and my opinion is based on my point of view. We do not need any unnecessary distraction at this time, whether well-meant or not. I do not think that we should embark on personal congratulations in a time when so many people are involved in trying to save lives of others. I can put my head on a block that there are thousands of people who in one way or the other are positively contributing to alleviate that corona virus or keep it under control.
Many years ago my father asked me: “Where did you get that shirt?” “I bought it.” “Who made it?” “I do not know, somebody in a factory.” “What is it made of?” “I do not know, Daddy.” “Cotton, silk, wool, or linen? “Maybe cotton?” “Possibly, but it was made of cloth, who made the cloth?” “Somebody. It was made in a factory from raw material and the raw material was gathered by somebody.” “My son, why did I ask you all of those questions? The reason I asked you those questions is to let you know that because you like that shirt, you bought it. But you have to be grateful to at least six people for that shirt.”
I too would like to give kudos to people, but then I thought of the amount of people who care and who are involved and I thought back on my father’s question about the shirt. And then I ask myself who is more important these days? The person who willingly goes out there and gathers the bush for bush tea which he knows will help you with the cough and the cold and the sore throat, or the person who gives you money, or the man in the supermarket or the man at the gasoline station?
I will not judge, because it all depends on the circumstances. By now we should know what affects the people on the island and why, so let us consider this “the time to do well and don’t look back”.
And let us not let up on praying for the first responders and the caretakers.
Russell A. Simmons
