Three things we can can learn from our COVID-19 experience

Three things are emerging from this COVID-19 experience that we can learn from.

First is that leadership is action not just words.

Second is personal responsibility and accountability

Third is self reliance.

The measures taken by the Government reflect the quality of leadership of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

There is no question that he has taken decisive action. We rate his actions by their outcomes. So far so good.

In fact, we have done incredibly well that we only have five confirmed cases and no deaths.

The stringent tests and vigilance at the border, travel restrictions, partial lockdown and curfew have undoubtedly contributed to no more reported infections in four days.

This is positive in comparison to neighbours New Zealand and Australia which have imposed much tougher measures but their infection figures are still rising.

This is linked to the timing of the imposition of the measures.

In Fiji’s case, we started earlier. If we were listening to Mr Bainimarama’s earlier updates we would have heard that well before COVID-19 arrived, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services was monitoring the developments in Wuhan in China where it all started.

The ministry used the same strategy it applied in successfully containing the measles outbreak last year.

It did not panic and advised the public not to panic. In a calm, responsible and measured response it systematically put in place measures in stages to match the updates from the World Health Organisation and other relevant authorities. It had no illusions that COVID-19 would eventually get here.

They were done to minimise disruptions to the economy. There are people calling for complete national lockdown like New Zealand has done. If we can continue to flatten the curve like we have done in four days then there is no need for a national lockdown.

Mr Bainimarama is already talking about lifting the restrictions in Lautoka. If he does, it also means we are not getting any new case, community spread or imported.

It also means that we are starting the process to return to normality. That’s the reason why it is absolutely important to comply with the rules for the restrictions.

This crisis highlights the importance of personal responsibility. The decision to obey the rules or to flout them is a personal responsibility and a matter of accountability.

When we break the rules, be prepared to be held accountable. All our choices have consequences. Think twice before you make a choice.

Last but not least is self reliance. We need to prepare ourselves for future adversities whether it’s a cyclone or another virus.

We must start home storage, financial savings and stop depending on the Goverment for our basic necessities.

This crisis has brought families closer together through the stay home rule and social distancing. To those who have unfairly attacked the Goverment and frontline workers, please think of the bigger picture and how we have been able to keep our infection rate low.