Making it count

AS we welcome 2022, there is hope that the major challenges we faced in 2021 will not come back to haunt us. It’s not something we can take lightly though as the Omicron variant spreads like wild fire around the world.

The realities are frightening.

Infection rates are picking up in many countries, and it is impacting children.

So we look to the powers that be to make tough calls. Clearly decision time isn’t going to be a walk in the park.

There are considerations that will be factored in. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is urging Fijians to “get a booster jab when you qualify”.

In his New Year’s Day message, Mr Bainimarama said getting “boosted” was free, easy, and essential to us getting on with our lives and with a recovery that could carry us forward every day of the new year ahead.

“We can lead normal lives if we keep our heads and follow what we know works. Mask up, physically distanced, and –– this is the most important –– get a booster jab when you qualify,” he said.

On the other hand, former PM Sitiveni Rabuka believes the Government should be super vigilant in restraining both COVID-19 and Omicron this year.

In his New Year’s Day message, Mr Rabuka said virus controls, especially at Fiji’s borders, must be more efficient than they were earlier in 2021 when Fiji for a time had the highest infection rate in the world.

Mr Rabuka said the Government could not stop a resurgent COVID-19 and Omicron by itself and that we all must be part of this ongoing battle. The minority not yet vaccinated should get on with it, he said, and those who have had their two jabs must find out when they could get a booster shot.

We have been buoyed by the opening of our international border. As tourists arrive, the roll-on effect has been positive so far.

When the second wave struck us in April last year, thousands of Fijians lost their jobs. Thousands more were forced to work reduced hours, and there were those who were forced to take leave without pay.

It struck at the very heart of survival. Thousands of families did not know where their next meal was coming from.

There are still many families struggling now to put food on the table. This is the reality of our situation right now.

The arrival of tourists has seen an injection into the domestic economy which is encouraging.

But there are challenges.

As we face a third wave, we are reminded about how bad it can get.

Last year’s lessons were tough.

In saying that though, we live and we learn. Reflections are important.

They give us optimism and a base to try and improve our lives.

We know what must be done. We know why safety measures are important. We know what we are dealing with, and the worst-case scenarios.

We know how to keep the status quo.

The challenge is taking the step to do things!