Opinion

The anti vaccinators had their reasons the same as that ‘cancan’ water fella, to do and say what they believe.

The only difference was the time and place for them to make their stand was off.

While the country was in the throes of the measles epidemic killing spree, fighting to save lives and stop the spread of the virus was paramount.

Ever thought about how this measles epidemic has put so much strain in the eyes because of the heart?

It normally starts off with a lump in the chest.  It comes in varying weights, light, medium, heavy and super heavy.

The heart holds the remote control. When people and organisations donate service or assistance, the lump is heavy but light medium.

For the past few weeks now we have fought and we have mourned.  Still the measles virus would not relent. So do we.

What choice do we have? Our fight is for our survival. 

We have not been alone in our struggles and we are indeed indebted to the help and assistance, pouring in from our nearby neighbours and further out into our wider global community.

An interesting dilemma when families refuse vaccination for some personal or religious beliefs.

If it’s their choice then so be it. If it works out for them and they’re not infected by the measles good one.

 But what if they end up with the measles?  Where do we go from there? 

If you can’t force them to be vaccinated and despite having the measles they still refuse vaccination what then?

ONLY IN SAMOA :  Poster promoting the holiday cheer while a young vendor tries to smile from behind a measles protection face mask, is probably the best way to sum up where we are right now.

Question is how much holiday cheer do we have left in the tank with the tragedy of the epidemic’s continuing death toll and new measles cases added every 24 four hour cycle?

Miss Samoa has brought us much needed cheer with the Miss Pacific win at the start of the week.

It’s getting harder and harder these past few weeks to feel any cheer in the heart with the measles virus taking away all those babies.

The heart is in fact feeling the heavy emotional burden as the fatality count continues to tick over and over and over virtually every day.

The heart simply shattered into pieces, with the story of a young mother who could only look on, as her baby child struggles with the pain until it finally ended.

The court judge has a point about people using the measles outbreak not to turn up to be sentenced or for hearings of criminal charges they are up against.

Hey the excuse is hard not to accept with all the fears we have about catching the virus.

Even the court has canceled some of its hearing in the youth and family courts for the same reason – there you are.

...where medical doctors like this prominent, respected member of the profession, Dr. Satupaitea 'Satu'  Viali, is a life saviour to a lot of his patients.  The sick depend on him and his other medical colleagues to restore them to good health. 

When they do, they become idolised as super heroes with healing powers. 'Superman Satu' does have a ring to it.

A young female measles case was supposedly admitted for treatment. After a while the busy hospital staff discovered she was missing.  Looked around everywhere and she had vanished.

To the experienced staff this happens all the time.   A missing patient would be reported and then left it there.

But this time they were not taking any chances. The police were called in and the hunt was underway to find her and they reportedly did.

This is a true story folks.  A family with a three months old baby has set strict rules at home for all members returning from work, a trip to Apia or anywhere out of the house.

Head straight for the showers for a full body wash before you touch the baby or even venture anywhere close.

In only a week or so since the rule was enforced, the family grandmother, is starting to feel the strain of two to three showers a day.