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Letter to the Editor- 'A family tie is like a tree...'

Moleto A. Smith Jr, President of the League of British Virgin Islanders. Photo: Provided
By Moleto A. Smith Jr- President, League of British Virgin Islanders

Dear Editor:

There is an African proverb that goes like this, “A family tie is like a tree; it might bend but it cannot break”.

Over the past few weeks, the COVID-19 crisis in the [British] Virgin Islands has escalated at a record pace. As public health officials, along with other government, civic and community leaders, urgently continue to make best efforts to stop the spread of this deadly virus, and its various emerging variants, so too should Virgin Islanders, whether at home or across the diaspora, come together with the single-minded focus of giving support.

Doctors, nurses, allied health workers, other health care professionals, frontline workers and first responders bear the heavy weight of providing acute care to COVID-19 patients, notwithstanding the personal toll on themselves and their immediate families. Each of them deserves our collective commendation and support. Thank you!

Similarly, each of us should continue to do our part to support keeping the community safe. The best way to accomplish this is by wearing masks, wearing them correctly, practising good hand hygiene and social distancing protocols and by applying the best evidence-based, or science-based, interventions to prevent contracting the virus in the first place or, if contracted, to prevent the most harmful impacts of the virus on our health and health care system.

We also can be of support in other ways, such as by helping families in need that may have lost loved ones or by volunteering time and expertise in areas that are most critical or provide the highest level of service. Most importantly, we can encourage every member of our families and all of our friends and colleagues to do the same.

The hard fact is that each of us has been affected by this crisis; so each of us must work together to support getting to the other side of it.

Whether tied by kinship, heritage, culture, history or common experiences: we are family. Like the proverbial tree, our tie is unbreakable.

5 Responses to “Letter to the Editor- 'A family tie is like a tree...'”

  • On Point (22/07/2021, 14:52) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Keep the information coming
  • ccc (22/07/2021, 14:52) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank goodness
  • Kingfish (22/07/2021, 15:38) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Not sure what kind of trees they have in Africa that cannot break when they bend, in my life time I have seen many trees bend and break. Then again, they do not have hurricanes in Africa. Proverbs cannot be applied to all mankind.
  • Teacher Ala (22/07/2021, 21:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But then, we are blessed in the beautiful Caribbean with our beautiful whispering palms that bend and sway again and again to the ferocious forces of hurricane winds. I, too, am trying to adapt to the stresses of each day. I find it comforting to start my day with this unknown proverb: "I will bend and bow to wind and weather, and remain unbroken." I am now at 79 years of a full life, and I have found this simple mantra fills me with gratitude and hope as I greet another 'Blessed Morning': I will bend and bow to wind and weather, and remain unbroken.

  • I do understand what you are trying to communicate to us. to (22/07/2021, 21:36) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good word of councel and meaningful uncouragement.
    Continue offering good advice, word of wisdom.
    Thank you.
    If we support eacj other as one in our fight against the covid-19 virus, though we have been force to, and have bended, tied together with the cord of a family minded attitude, we will not break.
    Many blessing to you Sir, and your lovely family.
    Again, thank you.


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