Typical of any crisis, there are always some people who are marginalized, forgotten or ignored.
Often, they are the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people among us. The COVID-19 outbreak and how governments around the world react to it bring to fore this sad reality.
Many countries issue advices to their citizens, to practice social distancing, go into (voluntary) self-isolation, or work from home. Those who are traveling, come home now while it is still possible.
Those who are home, avoid all non-essential travels. Financial assistance is on the way.
This advice is reassuring for many of us. Help is coming with the repatriation effort — planes and all. Don’t worry about travel expenses — just come home.
In this uncertain and troublesome time, who would not want to go home and be with their families and loved ones?
Sadly, this is not something that everyone can do. Not all countries send planes to pick up their people. In fact, some countries tell their citizen to delay the trip home. Ironic as it may sound, there may be some wisdom in that.
If we were to tell everyone to stay put, wherever we are, we may all help “flatten the curve.”
Who knows whether the current rush to get home might actually contribute to spreading the virus around the world.
The “come-home-now-or-never” message is patriotic and serves as a reminder that there is no such thing as a global citizen.
As we are busy taking care of “our” people, we have forgotten that the world is full of people who are temporary residents of other countries, like students, workers and professionals.
We welcome them when times are good, but we neglect them in times of crisis. Many of us who were once international students remember how good it felt to be invited to someone’s home during the holidays, when we could not go home to celebrate with our families.
Who knows whether the current rush to get home might actually contribute to spreading the virus around the world.
The same generosity should be extended to international students and foreign workers who are stuck here, through this turbulent time.
Let’s encourage governments to take into consideration their needs and concerns when formulating the economic response plan, and make sure that they too receive the support.
The same applies to universities and schools when issuing academic measures to deal with the outbreak.
Do not assume that these international students can just stay and work from home. Many of them are on a tight budget and have to work part-time to help pay their rent.
Do not assume that help is there for them. They may not understand the system well enough to know how to get the support they need.
As they listen to the financial support packages and repatriation efforts that have been announced for Canadians, and the numerous ways ordinary people are helping each other, they must be proud that they are getting education in a place where people do take care of each other.
Let them not be dumbfounded and wonder “what about them.” They, too, are worried and scared, about their own health and safety, about their parents and families in their homeland.
Let’s do better at offering them the support they need, and a real home away from home.
Ratana Chuenpagdee,
St. John’s
