‘HOW do I love thee? Let me count the ways’.
So begins Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43.
Thinking about the wisdom of taking ‘the jab’, brought this poem to mind, considering the confusion influential people have caused.
Curious as it is that those who peddle this news are men, it is by no means alarming.
Throughout history, it’s mainly men whose actions (and non-action sometimes) lead to wars, misogyny and suspicion.
Men’s words matter, hence it is sad when their utterances encourage negativity.
Myths such as ‘this is a man’s world’ only give credence to these unfounded macho beliefs.
Men, irrespective of the station they hold in society, must be of service to better the world. Anything less is hypocritical.
Ironically, it is another pandemic – HIV/Aids – that exposed men’s oft abandonment of their responsibilities.
Statistics show that it is mostly women who test for HIV/Aids.
While culture, coupled with socio-economic conditions, have something to do with this, it is true that men are averse to testing – relying on their better halves to know their status.
Others go as far as using pregnancy as a yardstick.
But it should be clear by now that using a proxy to fight the coronavirus is self-defeating.
Fear-mongers have upped the stakes by spreading rumours that the vaccine is designed to cause sterility to cut down our population.
This echoes people’s refusal to immunise their children against polio. It is only when individuals see the devastation of polio that they opt for vaccination.
Sometimes they do so too late. It would be a sad day if, as Covid-19 mutates, those we love succumb to the virus while the vaccine is freely available.
Covid-19 is a novel disease whose behaviour is not yet well known. Only vaccination can stop it in its tracks at this stage.
Currently, the economy bears the brunt of the disease.
Many businesses have closed down and the unemployment ranks have swollen, sadly plunging thousands into hunger.
It is for this reason that business owners should take the lead in the fight against the coronavirus.
Taxi drivers, shopkeepers, entertainment practitioners and the rest depend on consumers for business. Death is irreversible and causes chaos and uncertainty.
If, indeed, the smallest unit of a community – and by extension a nation – is the family, the steady loss of lives that has destroyed whole families should be a clarion call to united action.
Leaders should set an example and go beyond narrow personal gains. Individuals count far more than groupings, and must be treated with due respect and consideration.
History will judge us in the way we respond to the common enemy, and not in how we self-preserve.
To show true love to those who matter the most to us, each must take the first step by vaccinating. This is one choice that only love for humanity can give.
* Dr Gqibithole is a lecturer in the English Department at the University of Zululand
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