Alred C. Frett. Photo: VINO/File

Please be warned COVID-19 is indeed a serious threat and the more it is mishandled, the more likely we are to end up poorer and sicker in the Virgin Islands… Furthermore, I fall in the risk demographic and if you know my history of being victimised for fighting for our People then you may understand the risk, I take of being harassed or having my ventilator unplugged for continuing to speak out.

However, for the first in our lives we are experiencing what it was like for Slaves and Blacks in South Africa as well as the uneven amount of Blacks now dying in America… To say nothing of our predicament would make me guilty of watching them suffer from rolling lockdowns and drastic restrictions may help the Virus kill us off quicker than it would, working on its own.

It is universally appreciated that, Wisdom comes from Elders even as Youth gather knowledge – and while Mother Pigs learn where to root from experience, Piglets were born knowing where to suckle… Even good Leaders may become over-anxious to respond to crises and, in their haste to be seen as tackling the problem, they may overlook the importance of basic concerns.

COVID-19 is real and we are all in this together - to live and learn as we learn and live – and only by sharing our experiences and knowledge can we truly achieve the way forward in the greater interest of the People and Territory… This is not a game of Politics where the People are pushed around on boards of chance in an aimless gamble with their lives and futures of their Children.

Now more than ever, Health must come First:

Wish as we may, there is no getting around the fact that, the only existing Vaccine against COVID-19 is the Physical, Mental Health and Natural Immunity of the People… By having them ailing, malnourished and stressed can only harm them… Furthermore, with or without the Virus, there exist a large number of Patients in dire need of Medical Care – both preventative and curative.

In addition, Historically and Genetically, many of us and our Parents are chronically ill patients in need of constant care to monitor and treat conditions like ulcers, diabetic sores, asthma attacks and difficult Pregnancies… Health safety is a full-time process so it isn’t trivial to say that many, many Patients are likely to die sooner as well as later if these medical needs are not met.

Those living in luxury may find it hard to understand that the majority of our Residents work from paycheck to paycheck, and having been out of work for weeks leave them with no finances to purchase the Supplies and Medicines needed to save their lives and sustain their families… So, even after this is over it could take persons generations to recover Health, Wealth and Hope.

We are already seeing a reaction where Big Businesses seem anxious to kill one another as they kiss up to Authorities in their effort to survive while Small Businesses – Mom and Pop Stores - are destroyed without a hint of consideration… Such actions pave the way for future external domination and oppression from which our Children and their Children may never ever recover.

We need to know the way to go:

There are many more concerns but these are a few pressing ones that Government may have already answered for themselves or at least deeply consider before taking actions that could drastically impact the lives and well-being of the Territory… We placed our trust in them so this may be a good time for them to put some trust in us by explaining the whys and why nots.

Our People need help - We are not looking revolutions – We are simply seeking answers and hungry for solutions… We have seen different places use different approaches and obtained different results – the Good, Bad and Ugly… We are willing to learn and anxious to help but it is uncomfortable being imprisoned without due process simply because we wish to live as humans.

PS: I will continue addressing some of your Questions and Comments on Live BVP Radio Programmes.