April 23, 2020

“People Are On The Edge Right Now”

By Newsroom

“Citizens must be responsible and conform to the stay at home request, however, insulting persons because you believe they will threaten the health of your family while theirs is fighting for survival is distasteful and unacceptable. Where is your humanity? Where is your compassion?” Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar stated on Thursday morning. “People are on the edge right now, and it is perplexing how some privileged citizens can be so far removed from the harsh reality of citizens of the humblest means. While we all understand the need for the shutdown and stay at home policies, many do understand that a portion of the population lives with very little resources. Their choice is between staying at home and watching their children starve or going out to find some form of relief, whether it is from the State or from the goodwill of concerned citizens,”  the   Siparia MP advocated.

 I am not encouraging anyone to breach the stay at home policies, but we cannot misjudge necessity as delinquency,” the Opposition Leader emphasized while noting “these persons do not deserve to be called “stupid” or “reckless”, they simply have no other choice until they can get back to regular work. The ridicule directed toward vulnerable persons who are venturing out in public to access food support or subsistence income to feed their families must stop. This is the reason I have been asking for health, hygiene, sanitation and occupational safety protocols and plans to be implemented for when the shutdown ends.

 During this shutdown, I have seen many people go out of their way to help others and I thank them for their expressions of kindness and love. Sadly, some have chosen to make the most derisive statements about our most vulnerable. Only socially ignorant and selfish persons will seek to ridicule the poor in our society who are going out to collect food support or earn a small subsistence. Many are hoping that the government will eventually do more to provide relief but worries about their financial situations and immediate future are causing persons to commit acts of violence on their relatives. This abuse can be emotional, verbal or physical and can eventually wreck families and relationships if help is not received,” she continued.

“Thousands of people have already lost their jobs, and before this crisis ends, more are likely to find themselves unemployed. People are suddenly facing more physical, emotional, and psychological stresses than they ever had, especially if they have a family to care for and no income, and are experiencing great difficulty in coping. We all have faults and make mistakes in life, but instead of condemnation and ridicule, I kindly ask citizens to exercise some compassion and love. Don’t treat the vulnerable in society with contempt,” the opposition leader begged.

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