So, what’s my next move?

Daviot Kelly
Daviot Kelly

March 1, 2021

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“Mi have some place weh mi nah go back, Me know a few bridge weh haffi bun down …”

– Blessings by Tommy Lee Sparta

It might seem weird that I’m quoting lyrics from an artiste who is currently facing the courts (again), but hey, man nuh dead, nuh call him duppy, as the Jamaican proverb says.

Plus, different things can teach you about life, and there is no prerequisite that they all have to be from ‘positive’ events.

You see, I’ve been thinking much more than normal these days (free time is a helluva thing). One of those topics is responsibility and responsible actions.

I saw a video recently of an illegal gathering held in a part of the island, posted by an acquaintance who was in attendance. I saw the video after the event was over and done with.

Plus, the individual wrote in one of the many captions that the police “come lock it off”. So the security forces were well aware of the whole debacle.

Now, maybe I’m reading too much into it. The truth is, I don’t think the nightly curfew is really working, but it’s the rules, and I try (not always successfully) to follow the rules.

But there was a sense of nonchalance about the whole thing that I didn’t like. You see, there seemed to be zero concern shown about the ongoing pandemic. There were no masks, at least from what I could see, and there was certainly no physical distancing in large sections of the gathering. People were just out and about having a grand time, including the individual I know.

For the record, we weren’t ‘bosom buddies’. I don’t even think the person knows my last name. But we used to hang out for sure, just not for a while. To be fair, that wasn’t just about Ms Corona, just circumstances beyond either of our control. But now, a part of me is wondering not just ‘when’ we’ll link up again, but ‘if’ we should.

I mean, should I be wondering about what other rules this person will be breaking in my presence? How’s that going to work? Maybe it’s not that big a deal. Like I said recently, I’ve been thinking a lot more these days (just the nature of the world, I guess). So I may be overthinking this one (as I have with many others). But I think the question is there to be asked.

Maybe I’m a prude, or worse, think mi betta dan people. For the record, I don’t think either is true, but you never know. People have been wrong about themselves all the time.

One thing I do know for sure is that I’m no angel. But I’m no maverick either. And when the consequence can be hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus a blot on my so-far clean criminal record, I’m not feeling that.

Perhaps when COVID has been managed (hopefully eradicated?) I’ll be over it. Maybe I’ll run into the person tomorrow, and it’s no issue. But, with my mind, who knows?

In photo: A Thermal Elevated Temperature Detection camera used to monitor the body temperature of patients looking to get vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to prevent the coronavirus is posted at the doors of the MLK Community Medical Group clinic in Los Angeles.

Link me at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com.

Daviot Kelly

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Daviot Kelly

Daviot Kelly describes mumbling and fumbling as two of his greatest obstacles in life, but not when it comes to penning his weekly column, Kelly’s World. A wizard with the pen, Kelly has been sharing his wit and unique perspective with the Flair since 2006.

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