REFLECTIONS OF PAST TURBULENCE ON CURRENT GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS

Smallpox pandemic, photo credit: the Social Historian

It's clear and obvious that today's younger generation has never experienced such a destructive nature of a deadly and prolonged disease, known as the coronavirus, forcing people to stay at home, with anxiety, fear, and unemployment. 



The current crisis of the coronavirus, about infection, deceased, and healing, seems to bring to mind the harsh and bitter experiences of victims during the First and Second World Wars. 

It also gives us a comprehensive understanding of the terrible times people went through during epidemics, such as the Spanish flu, influenza, cholera, and other deadly pandemics.

People think their freedom has been taken away from them because they have been forced to stay at home, can't enjoy sports, visit the cinema halls, the restaurant, go to the football stadium, and visit their loved ones. 

The question is, do people have to be angry over measures that protect and guarantee their own safety against the deadly COVID-19? How honest and sincere are people? 

Let's begin to think deeply about whether people are bitterly complaining about measures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus as a loss of freedom. Decades after Germany was divided into East and West Germany, the Iron Curtain came tumbling down in 1989. 

The Germans were divided for 45 years, and those trying to flee from the East to the West were shot down in cold blood.

Africans were captured and taken as slaves. Their homes were burned down, and the people were divided and brutalized. The scars of colonialism and Apartheid are still visible in Africa today.  After that, Aids and Ebola have hit the continent, killing thousands.

Captured African slaves were taken to America to work long hours in sugarcane plantations amidst hunger and poverty. Years after the abolition of slavery, African Americans are still suffering.

Comparing those turbulence times to the current time of the coronavirus gives a better understanding of how people have suffered in the past, and the most painful part, which we can't ignore, is that the emerged political crisis and pandemics were man-made.

The suspension of work and school activities ordered by the government is for our own good. The answers to controlling the pandemic are not only technological or medical, but also quarantine and avoiding social gatherings.

Hanged African-American woman

Thousands of people have died because of the coronavirus. The world is bleeding, and people are mourning, in a state of shock and despair. Yet, it's shocking to read negative comments from people who are happy that the COVID - 19 is killing more black people in the United States of America.

This is not a time to laugh at people because the coronavirus's impact has taken its toll on whites or a particular race. The disease is far from over; besides, no one knows if you are going to live today or the next day. 

People need to show love and care in these disturbing times, not hate, discrimination, and racism. This is the time the world must come together as one until the right vaccines come to save the lives of people who are perishing because of COVID-19. 

WHY IT WORTH TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FLEMISH JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

The 

Flemish Journalists Association end of year's end-of-year general meeting at the famous Basilica of Koelkelberg. Behind the table are some of the active leaders, Eric Braeken, Ronald Libin- treasurer, Eric Of Kutsem-Co-chairman, Kristin Spiessens, etc. Photo credit: @JoelSavage

The Vlaamse Journalisten Vereniging (Flemish Journalists Association) is one of the skilled independent journalists' associations in Belgium, for ages improving the working conditions and profession of journalists serving various media in the country.

Kristin Spiessens, Eric Of Kutsem, and Walter Van Den Branden: Photo credit @JoelSavage

The active force behind the association: Raoul Maria De Puydt, Hilde Van Gool, Walter Van Den Branden, Eric Braeken, Ronny Of Kutsem, Ronald Libin, etc, and other members successfully held this year’s general meeting in the magnificent building of the Basilica of Koekelberg, in Brussels, on Saturday, December 3, 2016. 

Joel Savage and sports journalist Dominique Dongo

The Flemish Journalists Association meets twice in the middle and end of the year, but the end of the year’s activities call for the entire members since the main item on the agenda is the discussion of the new statutes and the elections, which were approved by the assembled members.

Members of the Flemish Journalists Association at the Basilica's restaurant: Photo credit @JoelSavage

Every year, new locations are suggested for the general meeting. The venue this year was the famous Basilica of Koelkelberg. The history behind the Basilica is intriguing, like its architecture and paintings. Basilica is a unique and one of the most important tourist attractions in Belgium’s history of tourism.

Joel Savage and members of VJV at the Basilica's restaurant

Some years back, it wasn't in my interest to attend the Flemish Journalists Association end of year's end-of-year general meetings, but things have changed completely as journalism in the country broadens and disciplines. 

The friendly atmosphere and the interaction of the open-minded members are some of the qualities worth make being a member of this journalism group.

MY NEIGHBOR FEARS TO OPEN HER MAIL BOX

A mailbox


Gone are the days when people fear opening their mailboxes at home when terrorists laced letters with anthrax or the fear of being killed by a letter bomb.


Even though Belgium is one of the safest countries to live in  Europe, many fear opening their mailbox in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Don't be mistaken. There isn't any rattlesnake hidden in the corner of the post box, but unexpected bills to pay scared many not to opening mailboxes.

Many times, you may see a box full of letters you might think the owner is in the hospital or even dead. Not at all. The owner is living. Imagine you've lost your job and are living on a social benefit. How long could that make you happy when one needs to pay their house, electricity, gas, and other bills?

There is nothing I could compare paying bills with difficulty to than a headache in the middle of the night. "You will be on the bed all night, but your eyes will be gazing at the ceiling", said a neighbor, who is having nightmares of paying bills because of her financial situation.

I have been through this and I survived. One early January, I could still remember when I displayed about twelve bills to pay on my dining table. This is how I did it, and I will encourage anyone who finds themselves in this situation to follow this simple task.

1. Many bills are given time to pay, and others are not. Pick up those with stated duration and clear that first. Otherwise, when the time to pay expires, you could be punished with a higher amount.

2. Always try to pay those with higher amounts first. That is the most difficult task. Paying a bill with a big amount is not easy, but when you can do that, you will find it easy to pay those with a lesser amount as easily as ABC.

3. If the amount is really high and there is no way you can submit to the payment plan. Please go to the office that sent you the bill and explain your situation to them. They will definitely give you a simple and easy monthly payment plan to follow.

4. If you are a regular visitor to the restaurant, the cinema, or doing anything you love most that costs you a fortune, try to save by avoiding those places or things. This could help you save enough money to clear your bills within the shortest period.

HOW COOKING AT HOME BUILDS A HAPPY MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Cooking at home builds a happy marriage.


Marriage is a bond between a man and a woman, united to live together. The wishes married couples seek include happiness, prosperity, and good health. But many times these wishes rather become a nightmare, bringing many marriages to an abrupt end.


One important factor, which many women don't even think about it but could easily bring a marriage to an end, is when the woman doesn't know how to cook. In African society, a mother teaches her daughter how to cook before stepping into marriage. 

That is the reason it is rare to find a woman who doesn't know how to cook in Africa. Also, divorce is less common in Africa.

The experienced African woman knows perfectly well that it is a total disgrace not only to her daughter but also to her when her daughter doesn't know how to cook. 

In this case, before her daughter steps into marriage, she teaches her many things, including cooking, to build a happy, successful marriage and family.

Unfortunately, in the advanced countries, it is not an important issue to a  White woman who doesn't know how to cook because there a restaurants, pizza, and Chinese food to order, and tin foods at the supermarket. 

As a married woman, how would your marriage be when, after the day's hard work, your husband arrives home to see a can of spaghetti bought from the supermarket on the dining table as his dinner?

The man might not complain, even though he is not happy. How long can he harbor this in him? Eventually, he quickly seeks his happiness somewhere else. 

Cooking is a profession, yet many can learn as a hobby or as a married woman. There are so many cookbooks that can help a beginner.

Don't think that putting on the sexiest dress or keeping sexy for your husband all the time would save your marriage. Learn how to cook and be a good wife to your husband. He will love you forever and ever boast of how good his wife can cook to his friends. 

Order your pizza and Chinese food once a month or not at all. They are unhealthy.