Martha Taumata Faavae
Villages are being urged to start putting into practice health security measures they are familiar with from awareness exercises they went through to raise the level of protection from the coronavirus pandemic.
The retiring Minister of Women and Social Community, Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama, underlined as a starting point the two coronavirus positive test cases that are still to be officially verified.
“ We don’t have to wait to confirm if the tests are positive before we move into action,” Tuitama reminded.
“We have been meeting with village representatives and also hold health awareness exercises, to encourage everyone to be mindful of the need to keep homes clean and safe.”
He called on the village leaders to remind everyone to start taking stock of food supplies like tinned food and regular stables that can be used over a longer time period.
Tuitama calmed any growing panic at the risks of the coronavirus spreading from the suspected cases into the villages.
He said the chances of community infections are for now not very likely with the health security measures in place to keep all new arrivals into the country under quarantine.
“But village working committees should still be carrying out regular inspections for general family hygiene and secure food supplies.
“We have to stay vigilant and be prepared to respond to whatever comes.”
The Minister said his Ministry is keeping villages on the alert by working closely with selected community representatives.
He pointed to another key area the Ministry is taking up with the villages over the reported increase in domestic violence.
Job losses are forcing people to stay home and reportedly creating frictions that leads to violence.
“The Ministry is encouraging people to call in for help if they need support on domestic issues.
“The point is for everyone to work together to give support to each other with the emphasis on the elderly who are most vulnerable to the pandemic.”
Tuitama is confident the villages are already well prepared after the 9 months they have been working on safety concerns and health awareness in the event of the pandemic.
But knowing what must be done and doing what has to be done are two different things the Minister wanted to emphasise.
He said the best protection anyone can offer is a personal one that a person does on his own.
Tuitama calls on the village leadership to always remain on the alert and not be complacent.
