Last month I greeted you as the New year began charged with excitement about our proposed projects and initiatives which we, as an association, hope to achieve in 2021.  Not some few weeks later, we in Barbados have been set to ‘pause.’  

Barbados, like many other nation states across the world, is grappling with the upward trend of the Coronavirus and now, its variant strains. 

As I write to you, Barbados is in the first day of a national pause, which will last for 15 days with the hope of not only curbing the spread of the virus in our communities but also providing an opportunity for a critical assessment to be made within each household.

This is indeed a challenging time for the country, moreso than when we first started on this journey last March.  Nevertheless, we will not let this thwart our plans and we will not surrender neither will we retreat, as our brother the Hon Jeffrey Bostic reminds us.

During this national pause, we have been asked to rest, relax and reflect. 

While many of us may still be at work, it still affords us the opportunity to reconnect using various social media platforms, to re-establish old ties and communications with friends, no matter where they are and to remember and reach out to those around us in need, especially our older alumni.

No doubt this is a mighty undertaking we face, yet we do not face it alone, as we are in this together.

We have been equipped to handle this fight and so, I call on all Combermerians in Barbados to pay heed to the requests made to pause, to adhere to the new restrictions as well as protocols and let us together, do all we can to curb the spread of this dangerous virus. 

To those overseas, I also urge you to play your part in your country to safeguard yourself and others.  Many at the forefront of the fight here and overseas are our brothers and sisters and we must do our part to safeguard lives and support them to the fullest, so their efforts and that of their teams are not in vain. 

While we do this, let us remember that some of our students still need assistance with equipment and lessons. 

Until things settle, a number of projects will remain on hold, yet I kindly ask those who can, to continue to give financial support to the various projects, to pay annual fees, so that we can position ourselves to aid our brothers and sisters who may need assistance at this time.  

Fellow Combermerians, this is a rallying call to all to mask up, wash hands and maintain the required physical distance. 

Stay Safe my brothers and sisters.