From the Editor-in-Chief’s desk: Your August 8 briefing – Fiji Times

Bula everyone

It is a cool night here in the Capital City, Suva.

A southerly was blowing in throughout the day.

Tonight, lets talk about an issue that has been raised about COVID-19.

It is interesting how various scenarios have been lapped up in connection with the pandemic.

The head of obstetrics and gynaecology unit at the Fiji National University (FNU) College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Litia Narube raised an interesting issue when she spoke about Christianity and the virus.

To think that Christians do not die from COVID-19, she said, or are specially protected from COVID-19 is false.

Christians also die from COVID-19, she pointed out. So being in, you know, were just seeing the things that affect people to not access the care thats available and care is free of charge so what is the hesitancy, she said.

During a FNU panel discussion on Monday, she said late presentation of pregnant women was a major issue. She pleaded with everyone, especially pregnant women, to present themselves to the hospital if they have symptoms of COVID-19.

We are pleading with everyone to present early and for whatever reason that you are at home, nursing your flu-like symptoms, you know, maybe thinking that you need to try praying for the woman first or try the herbal medicine, the vevedu that everybodys talking about.

While she acknowledged faith-based processes, praying, and herbal remedy, she insisted people still had to be presented early to hospital.

Thats what the plea is to present early and get the woman sorted because studies have shown that a woman who is infected with COVID-19 is more than 20 times at risk of dying because of COVID-19 and pregnancy so, you know, the evidence is out. The evidence is out for vaccination, evidence is out for how COVID-19 is, how it affects pregnant women but now its just trying to combat or trying to get people to understand the evidence, you know, compared with this coconut wireless that just takes over.

The scenarios add to the many interesting lines of thought that are intertwined with the fight against COVID-19.

Ultimately though, we are left with one thought, which is the safety and wellbeing of every Fijian.

That means aggressively fighting the virus together as a nation.

Whatever our views are, it is difficult to get past the need to keep everyone safe.

That means doing what we are expected to do in the best interest of all Fijians.

Decisions must focus on keeping the wider community safe. It must embrace safety measures that are critically important for us all.

So decisions must weigh that against any line of thought that places people in danger.

The virus cuts through every imaginary demarcation line.

It knows no barriers. It makes no differences and it does not matter who you are.

No one is immune from the threat of the virus.

But we have the benefit of knowledge. So lets do the right thing.

As we look up to the powers that be to make tough calls which are good for us as a nation, and take the lead in terms of reassurance, we still have to take ownership of this fight as individuals. Together Fiji!

LATE UPDATE

682 new cases

The permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong has just announced 682 new cases of COVID-19 for the 24 hour period that ended at 8am today. He said 193 cases were from the Western Division and 489 cases were from the Central Division.

Meanwhile, here are some headlines that made The Sunday Times edition for August 8.

PAGE 1

Opposition play a critical role

Political Party leaders during a press conference. Picture: FILE

LEADERS of five political opposition parties in the country say they play a critical role in providing people with alternative views. Their comments came to light after some political party leaders and other members of the parties were hauled into the CID headquarters in Toorak, Suva, on several occasions for caution interviews on their statements and views on Bill 17 which amends Section 12 of the iTaukei Land Act.

PAGE 3

Plea from Sabha

REFRAIN from spreading hate in the country. Thats the plea from the Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji national president Sarju Prasad amid social media posts allegedly instigating violence in certain communities in Fiji. Mr Prasad said people who were involved in these alleged activities were mentally sick.

Political leaders claim intimidation

LEADERS of the political opposition parties in the country claim their party members, workers, and supporters in Fiji are being intimidated and harassed. The political party opposition leaders expressed these sentiments after they and other members of their parties were hauled into the CID headquarters in Toorak, Suva, on several occasions for caution interviews on their statements and views on Bill 17 to amend Section 12 of the iTaukei Lands Act.

PAGE 4

Lakeba vaccination drive complete

SONGS broke out in the seven villages around Lakeba after the completion of vaccination programs which began on the chiefly island of the Lau Province on Tuesday last week with 748 of the 842 target populations on the island vaccinated with AstraZeneca vaccines.

Lauans stranded

A TOTAL of 508 Lauans have been stranded on Viti Levu from April when the second wave of COVID-19 began, eagerly awaiting the opening of inter-island travel to return home.

Vaccine commitment by Australia

Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes(left) and Minister for Health and MedicalServices Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete during thevaccine handover. Picture: JONA KONATACI

AUSTRALIA has committed over 660, 000 AstraZeneca vaccines in the past three months to help the Fijian government in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian High Commission to Fiji noted this after an additional 100, 000 Australian-manufactured COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in a Fiji Airways flight at the Nadi International Airport on Thursday.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Image: THE FIJI TIMES

There are many interesting letters on Pages 6 and 7. Get a feel of what people are talking about, and what interests them.

FEATURE/OPINION

We have a list of interesting articles for your Sunday reading pleasure.

Image: THE FIJI TIMES

Read JOHN KAMEAS Behind The News, Discovering Fiji, Bollybaat, Food with Chef LANCE SEETO, History and much more.

Image: THE FIJI TIMES

SPORTS

Image: THE FIJI TIMES

The big one on the back page is about the Rugby League World Cup.

Theres a lot more to read inside but youll have to get a copy to know what we are talking about! Happy reading!

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From the Editor-in-Chief's desk: Your August 8 briefing - Fiji Times