Thomas C. Famous. Photo: Provided

Now, more than ever, we must look out for our elderly who need company and assistance. It is them that, through hard work and sacrifice, that have provided us with the lifestyles that we enjoy today. Photo: Provided

Slowing but surely, with the closing of cruise ports and travel from the EU and UK, we are now faced with the turning back of the hands of time socially and economically.

Without a doubt, our tourism industries will suffer as never before seen. Hotels will lay off staff, taxi drivers will go without the usual volume of work and restaurants will have less and less customers.

For those islands such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the Virgin Islands, that have financial services as a core part of their economies, the lack of business visitors will be an additional hard blow.

Yet, through it all, our respective governments and the regional collective body, of CARICOM, have made these hard decisions with one singular end.

The preservation of life.

As the Jamaican saying goes: “What don't cost life don't cost nothing.”

Our economies will rebound in time. Our respective governments’ first order of business is to ensure that our people survive. 

In these times of rapid and unknown change, let us always remember that our culture has always been and shall always be one of communal living.

Now, more than ever, we must look out for our elderly who need company and assistance. It is them that, through hard work and sacrifice, that have provided us with the lifestyles that we enjoy today.

Let us honour them and protect them in these trying times.

So too, we must look out for our young people who will be out of school.

Take this time to reinforce the timeless values of; love, community unity, island heritage and regional pride in them.

Landlords, who can afford to do so, please be understanding of the plight of those who work in the hospitality industries.

Where and whenever possible, please support the small retail stores and service providers, as they are an integral part of our economies.

The people of the Atlantic and Caribbean have, with the help of the Almighty, weathered centuries of; genocide, slavery, racism, classism and natural disasters.

We will survive this, in the same way we have survived all other catastrophes.

We will survive COVID-19, together, as families, as communities, as islands and as a region

Blessings and love always.