From a statistic to an invaluable number: What does the COVID-19 statistic mean to you?

To many, the daily number of COVID-19 cases and deaths are mere statistics – the practice or science of collecting and analysing data in large quantities, as Google tells us.

While this used to be true at the start of the second wave of COVID-19 in Fiji, these statistics are now, more than than before, becoming more invaluable.

Why? Because while the rest of the world only sees them as numbers, it is only those impacted who really find these figures invaluable.

It is only when these numbers are humanised or personalised will we understand the magnitude of this crisis.

They represent a loved one, a son, a daughter, a wife, a husband, a father, a mother, a grandmother, a grandfather, a breadwinner, a best friend, a work colleague, a church member, a neighbour and even themselves.

In the Fiji Sun front page yesterday, a local COVID-19 patient, who suffered at the hands of the virus, shared his experience.

Antonio Ratuvili, 25, tells of how he faced a neardeath experience. He said his biggest mistake was ignoring the signs.

He assumed that he was suffering from the normal flu.

“Though it made sense from one angle, it was still an assumption... I was fighting for breath,... any physical activity was an effort,” he said.

Thankfully, Mr Ratuvili, like hundreds more in Fiji, has recovered. He was discharged from the CWM Hospital on Wednesday.

Mr Ratuvili has shown great courage in raising awareness knowing the stigma he would face.

As a responsible Fijian, he knows that his story can make a difference, if not to all, to someone’s life.

His story is not isolated. Fiji Sun has also published the stories of other COVID-19 recovered patients both locally and Fijians living abroad.

They should be cheered, not jeered, for their gallant efforts.

Their willingness to tell their stories to shed light to the ignorant and naysayers to enable them to make informed decisions before it’s too late is worthy of praise.

Their stories educate and inspire us to keep the faith and keep ourselves informed.

At the same time understand that faith without work is dead.

As long as we continue to be ignorant and break the COVID-19 safe protocols, the virus will infect more of us.

Do the right thing by you, your loved ones and community and your nation by following the protocols.

Mask up, sanitise your hands regularly, keep your distance when out in public, get swabbed and more importantly, vaccinate.