Dear Editor,
“Every dark cloud has a silver lining.” It is more important now to be as strong and optimistic as possible with the challenges presented by Covid-19 and the contentious national elections’ results. However, continuous, avoidable incidents contribute to painting a picture of gloom and doom.
Let’s involve the minds and hearts of citizens who live among us by examining an entire community, which is Kitty. It comes as no surprise that it has been identified as one of the “hot zones” for Covid-19. Monday night, a party was held in the community. I have heard that these events are referred to, and rightly so, as “Covid parties.” It is inevitable that some attendees will contract the pandemic. In Kitty, socialization continues even after the curfew starts. A few vehicles can be heard moving along the streets during the hours of the curfew and one was heard blaring music. A water delivery truck marketing water, progresses along the streets minutes before 6 p.m. A church service is still conducted on Sundays. A few carwash bays are still functioning. I wouldn’t regard them as essential services for anyone. During the day some people congregate, just hanging about. There should be law enforcement against this practice during this pandemic.
This state of affairs in Kitty causes me to wonder if no-one entrusted with our welfare cares. They perhaps feel insulated and unconcerned. Maybe their lifestyles do not encompass the discomfort of the unruliness constantly witnessed in this community. Maybe they only move in more affluent enclaves and indulge in ambulatory activities when they travel abroad.
This is not about citizens being oppressed or permanently controlled. People should be restricted if it serves as a cure to overcome a national crisis, for individual and collective safety. The ongoing conduct in Kitty is being done with impunity and needs to be stopped.
Yours faithfully,
Conrad Barrow
