Bonswa,
I hope this note finds you well and healthy. As I’m sure you already know, we are in unprecedented times. With the ongoing spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the incredible speed at which things are changing around us, I believe we are called in this season to shine by adapting and adjusting.
As we have worked together and with our Partner Communities, we have faced many challenges and each challenge has made us better prepared for a situation like this.
I’m sure you’ve been keeping up with the local, state, national, and international protocols that are being put in place, as well as, personal protocols, i.e. hand-washing and social distancing. Great! Keep doing that. For questions, visit your state or local government website. If in New York State, you can call the novel coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065. For continuous updates, you can visit the following websites:
To date, we have not received notice of any cases of COVID-19 in Petit Goâve. The official position of the Haitian government is that they are currently screening everyone arriving at the airport and refusing entry to anyone who fails a screening, i.e. temperature/fever/symptoms.
There are also many Haitians on the ground and throughout the diaspora taking to social media to share information like the graphic below. It’s clear everyone has a role to play to combat COVID-19.
Here’s what I’d like to share with you
- Be a source of reassurance, not a scare to those around you, especially children and the elderly.
- Be informed with facts and figures, not conjecture and conspiracies. Pass on information, not fear.
- Do NOT watch any news channel for 24 hours. Check-in/Check out.
- Do NOT scroll through social media for 24 hours. Check-in/Check out.
- Do NOT panic. Do prepare. Do NOT hoard. Do share.
- Self-preservation, not selfish-preservation.
- Stay in contact with your family, friends, neighbors, and clients.
- If you usually meet face-to-face, offer video options.
- Check-in on your neighbors, especially your elderly neighbors. If you’re able to grocery shop for them, do so.
- Read a book. Write a book.
- Work on your business plan.
- Work on your taxes and balancing your budget.
- Spring clean your house.
- Learn to play an instrument.
- Stretch and exercise.
- Sleep, rest, and take your vitamins.
- Revive your faith
- Meditate on peace
It’s not what we are going through, it’s our attitude during what we are going through that matters. Let’s not feed our fear. Let’s feed our humanity by being kind, thoughtful, helpful, supportive, selfless, and compassionate.
Every country on earth has been impacted or will be impacted. We are literally in this together. Let’s meet it head on, together, and #MakeEarthGreatAgain.
Pray for and send good vibes to every single person who is working the front lines: health workers, first responders, senior center staff, 18-wheeler drivers bringing food to restock all the grocery stores, all the folks at Costcos, BJs, and other groceries stores, all of our neighbors who can’t work from home, don’t have child care, don’t have health insurance and anyone else that comes to mind. I promise you that your prayers will be heard and answered, Yes! and Amen!
As we say in Haïti, kenbe fèm tout moun! Hold firm and be vigilant everyone!
Come Inspired, Leave an Inspiration
Mesi Anpil (Thank you very much),
MarieYolaine Toms
FireStarter + CEO, Community2Community (C2C)
