A Nevispages weekly feature by Curtis Morton Sr
The way I see it, most of us would be happy to say ‘GOOD RIDDANCE’ to the year 2020.
I mean, I remember in late December 2019, we anxiously looked forward to the year 2020. It was projected to be a year of PLENTY. Four Seasons was expected to be booming with ‘GUESTS CAN’T DONE’ and the Taxi drivers and others affiliated directly with the Tourism industry were whetting their lips in anticipation.
Come March and a little virus brought the entire world to a screeching halt.
At first, we all thought that it was one of those things that was happening far away and would never get to us and then it got closer and closer…and closer, until it finally hit home. The coronavirus had taken up full residential status in St. Kitts –Nevis, without a valid passport.
Well I newa!
The first few cases, had the population in a state of shock and everyone was treading cautiously and trying their utmost to observe the established protocols. Then after a time, I found that we started to treat the additional cases, the same way we did when we started to get accustomed to the frequency of murders: ‘Oh, it’s another one—oh okay!’ As long as it was not any one of us, or a member of our respective families, life was fine and we could live ‘happily ever after…..’
As a matter of fact, the thought process is, that there is ‘no corona here-well, at least nobody ah dead’ and so we can go about our business, without masks; refuse to social distance and sanitize etc.
However, I would really like persons who are in such a frame of mind to talk to someone who has survived the dreaded scourge or watch a youtube video of someone suffering from covid-19. Bet you change your mind real fast and do what you have to do, in order to prevent its spread.
So, the year sounds like THE MOST AWFUL YEAR, right? But wait, I am sure that most of us, if we are honest, can attest to God’s numerous blessings and mercies throughout the year. Definitely, it brought us back to the days, when our older folks taught us to CUT AND COONTRIVE. We became more resilient and innovative. We, for the most part, became more SHARING and CARING.
Endless farms sprung up, all across Nevis and people have generally made a concerted effort to grow what they eat and eat what they grow. With persons getting laid off, loads of persons have become entrepreneurs overnight. It’s now a matter of SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
The government has done its part. Social Security has overextended its services and we as a people of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, have limped into 2021, alive and in our right minds. Glory to God!
Now we face this New Year with a sense of dread and trepidation. We are already hearing about a new and more dangerous strain of the virus. To VACCINATE or NOT TO VACCINATE?—that is the million dollar question. Will jobs and money be scarcer than they were in 2020? Will some people be able to face Courts, Horsfords and TDC, come February?
I just came back from Charlestown, as I took some family members to watch the annual fireworks. Even the youngest child, who was looking forward to the event with great anticipation, expressed disappointment. Even the fireworks seemed to be social distancing and wearing masks! They were not sent as high into the air as usual and lacked some zest and spirit.
But this is a New Year. We, of course, do not know what the future holds, but this much I guarantee: If we put our hands into the hands of the one who holds and knows the future, we will be alright.
So, my admonition is that as we venture into the deep unknown of 2021, let us TRUST GOD fully and unreservedly. The same way he provided for and protected us in 2020, the same way he will do it for us in 2021.
That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?