I write to make a simple contribution on the serious disease of Ebola.
I, like many, have seen on BBC television news the plight, suffering and helplessness of the people of West Africa. It is heart-wrenching!
This disease has been around since before 1976 and the recent outbreak has been raging for about a year now.
It drew very little attention and interest in our part of the world, including here in T&T.
Then suddenly there was the case of a man contracting the disease and travelling to the USA, undetected. He visited the hospital, was discharged and then returned with the diagnosis of Ebola.
Then all of a sudden all of the media and the people of the US took notice and went into panic mode.
This patient subsequently died, and as far as I am aware there were just two nurses who were in contact with him before he was diagnosed, and who have since tested positive. There are hundreds of people who may have been in some form of contact with him.
Of course, we in T&T, as usual, took our cue from America immediately and went into "Ebola war" mode. There were incredible preparations and discussions on preventative actions being taken.
We were being advised of the risk of air travel. There was instant reaction to anyone, or any craft that may have come from anywhere near Africa!
The facts, as far as I know, is that there have been three cases reported (one death) in the entire Western Hemisphere and very, very few cases outside of West Africa!
The death of that one person in the USA, in my opinion, was most providential in that it brought the world, and especially the USA, into the "war," and I feel confident now that this terrible disease will be brought under control within months. I have noted that many countries have sent medical staff and volunteers to work and assist in West Africa, including many doctors from Cuba. What a commitment to humanity!
I do not expect that among them would be one Trinidadian. Maybe if they were offered US$10 million each?
T&T has been blessed by God with wealth. We are a very wealthy nation in many respects.
My only reason for writing all this is to ask why we cannot even make a contribution to the efforts of fighting this disease? Would that not be the very best way of protecting our own people?
Do we care about our suffering brothers and sisters? Must our money only be used for electioneering? If our government is unwilling to contribute, cannot our churches, NGOs and other organisations raise funds for this cause? Maybe sending equipment? I have hardly even heard a prayer in church for this situation. Maybe if it reaches our shores only then.
My point is: "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness."
Ronald L Grosberg
Fairways, Maraval