By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
Every time one of our island neighbours is crossed off the coronavirus-free-list, the initial reaction is an emotional leap of gratitude that we are safe in Samoa.
Our concerns go out at the same time to the safety of our neighbours. We all hope for their wellbeing and wish the prevention measures they have in place will contain the spread of the virus.
The health security strategy we in Samoa took before the virus became a pandemic was hardline when we closed our frontline borders.
The measles epidemic taught us a hard lesson and our health guards went up with a firm and unyielding resolve.
Our tough stance came under threat of reprimand from the World Health Organisation for possible intrusion into the rights of international free travel.
We stood our ground.
We have since remained unwavering in our determination. To a very large extent the credit should at first go to the Director General of Health and his health team.
Bruised and battered by unfair media criticisms in their handling of the measles, they were determined not to again leave their work exposed.
The Prime Minister and his Cabinet were right behind them by activating the National Emergency Operations Centre, NEOC.
The dream team of the Director General Leausa Dr. Take Naseri and MNRE Chief Executive Officer Ulu Bismarck Crawley as head of NEOC, picked up where they left off from the measles epidemic campaign.
Today our virus–free status speak volumes of the effective working combination between these two exceptional team leaders.
The secret to their success is winning over the support of the public.
The measles epidemic work was a struggle when a section of the community had safety doubts for their children.
This time around the health security measures in place are costly in many ways, social and economic, but the accepted option is to tough it out.
Must, however, acknowledge the services of Ulu who recently retired from the service.
While his outstanding contribution as a public servant stands him out, there is a good chance it will not end there.
His choice of taking up a political career if successful will be a valuable transition of his proven leadership qualities.
We do need leaders of his caliber in our political decision making process.
With no end in sight to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic the all out security of our good health and wellbeing continues.
We are blessed to be free of the virus and it is just reward for the sacrifices we make and continue to do so for our own health safety.
There are parents who will miss seeing their children return home from overseas studies for the end of year holidays.
The same goes for homesick students opting to stay on and continue into the New Year with their studies.
Better to brave the disappointment by finishing their education as scheduled rather than prolong it by coming home and be caught up in any pandemic related delays.
This is just one example of the emotional burden we are willing to carry for our own safety as a country.
This heavy load is not lost on people like Leausa Dr. Take Naseri and his health staff as well as all who are involved in NEOC including Ulu before his retirement.
The sharp end of the public whip lands on their backs in any slip up whether it is directly their fault or not.
Human nature demands there must be a fall guy for whatever goes wrong.
If we are going to share any good thoughts for these servants of the public, lets not rush to crack the whip for the satisfaction of hearing them scream.
For whatever shortcomings they have whether real or imagined by us, they are doing what is to the best of their knowledge and ability.
We tend to forget that easily in our rush to blame when anything goes wrong and affects us directly.
Judge well whether it is a bite of the whip they need or encouraging words that will inspire rather than expire.
Imagine what that new EPC boss went through on his very first day at work. The power went off on the whole of Upolu.
Is that deserving of a public whipping? It would if he personally pulled the plug on all the generators at the Fiaga Power plant just to show he is the new boss.
What did he do on his first week on the job? He apologised for the power outage. Should he?
Imagine what nightmare that poor man went through. His very first day at work, eager as a beaver to give his best and the roof crashed on his head.
Where is the justice in all that Lord! Pardon for asking on Your day of rest!
May we continue to be blessed by Your love, forgiveness, care and divine wisdom.