covid

Covid Reflections: Part III

Today’s Covid Reflection was written by Abraham Rivage. Abraham is a member of our quality control and fulfillment team. He will, without a doubt, always greet you with a beaming smile and warm energy. We hope you enjoy his thoughtful essay today!

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“As Covid spreads, it has been hard to ignore the headlines and to witness its effects across the world. Sports teams can’t play, Planes aren’t flying, Cruise ships aren’t sailing, churches can’t gather.
Since the shutdown, I have been trying to stay busy. I have been focusing on learning new English words. I have spent a lot of time chatting with my significant other and friends. I have been blowing off steam through working out every day. I have also been focusing on my business more. I sell carbonated drinks and phone minutes from my house.
Since schools are closed once again, I have been trying to help my son learn, and have been teaching him about the virus and how to protect himself against sicknesses. I haven’t been going out a lot, as when you live with other people, the risks you take, aren’t your risks alone, and I want to keep them safe.
I have to be honest though, I have been pretty stressed and anxious with everything that is going on. Haiti is normally extremely busy- and I feel like many of us have been afraid of the quiet, emptying streets. When streets aren’t busy in Haiti, it’s usually a sign of some kind of danger or trouble, so I think a lot of people struggle with that in the back of their minds. It can be hard getting over your fear, and have to do things like take public transportation because that’s the only option you have.
Staying encouraged can seem so difficult. It’s so easy to feel uninspired when you’re spending all of your days at home. But so much creativity and perseverance can be drawn from the options that we have today. Having access to the internet and books and other things are a luxury that I think we often take for granted.
When I have felt overwhelmed by my problems, I have opened things that have given my comfort, like my Bible, or doing one of my hobbies, or by reading something enriching. I think we often forget how important exercise is for our mental health too. Even if you are running up the stairs at home or doing breathing exercises, this is a way for our anxiety and stress to leave our bodies.
Finding moments of peace can be hard right now, but I think that’s the point. We need to find them, they probably won’t just happen upon us. We must search for them, and hold fast to them once we do find them.”

Covid Reflections: Part II

Today we are featuring the essay written by Ismaella Louis Carmelle, our talented, powerhouse jewelry manager.

This essay was written during the Covid19 shut down May 2020.

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“The world has been facing a terrible pandemic where countries all over the world are experiencing saddening death tolls. About two months ago, the authorities in Haiti ordered us to stay home as well, although this isn’t really a possible reality for many of us. I have been continuing to work at HDC, although that looks much different right now, as almost everything has been paralyzed given the situation with COVID.
It’s been quite boring to have to stay home, as I am sure many of you know, but on the other hand, time at home allows for the strengthening of ties with your family. It allows families to spend more time together, help each other more, discover more about one another. Every evening, my family gets the chance to pray together now.
Things are getting harder. Our economy continues to decline, and it’s hard to count on others for different things, as the whole world seems to be suffering.
How strange the world has become- where an embrace is now seen as a weapon, where we must refrain from getting too close to someone else.
In Haiti, the things that used to bring us such comfort are now prohibited. We cannot meet together to pray, and the only heart-to-hearts we will find is now over a phone. It has become quite stressful, and people are so afraid of other people, as everyone is afraid of getting sick. It sometimes feels like we have become slaves to water and soap, and in trying to avoid physical contact.
I experienced the terrible earthquake of 2010, the cholera outbreak, the spread of chikungunya, but Covid-19 is the first of its kind in my generation. I think it’s important to remember that it may be the first pandemic for us, but it’s not the first for humanity. When so many feel like this is the end, or fear for their lives, I find comfort in remembering that this too will pass, just like all the others did. That gives me a lot of hope and helps me to realize that life goes on, and the generation that follows us may even experience something much worse.
In any case, this virus will pass, and it’s important that we remember to keep living our lives, and to continue applying healthy measures to stay safe and well.”