BHAWNA ATMARAM
Re-Confinement
After some feelgood months of being reassured that Mauritius was relatively COVID-safe and everything was under control, imagine the islanders’ shock when they learned that they would be abruptly confined once again as from March 10 2021. It was back to square one and a harsh wakeup call that we were not the invincible disciples of Asterix and Obelix from the Indomitable Village. It was an encore of the nightmare which had plagued us in 2020, with major upheavals in the economic, social and education sectors. 
Unfortunately, lessons had not been retained and stakeholders, particularly in the education sector had to scramble to stay afloat. National and international examinations were maintained despite the confinement and red zones. Stress was at its peak but we managed to pull through. As we end 2021, suffice to note that we are still moving at snail’s pace to ensure that the country is aptly computerised to deal with the challenges of 2022 and beyond.
Loss of Lives
Unfortunately, with the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and the growing perception that official figures of infections were far from reality, our public health sector was unable to cope with the acute pressure. Fatal cases linked to COVID-19 have soared this year with most families losing a loved one due to the pandemic. Frontliners have been under at the forefront of the battlefield and their appeals pertaining to being short-staffed and overworked have long remained unheard. The flaws of the public health service have been blatantly exposed, with effective communication being the big absentee from the equation.
Queues, Vaccination and Fines
Amidst amendments to the Quarantine Act, the national vaccination campaign against COVID-19 has been launched. Queues at vaccination centres have become notorious with people being eventually turned away numerous times due to lack of proper planning. Anyway, despite the hassles, many Mauritians have been double jabbed or even boosted. No vaccine here=no access to numerous public spaces such as restaurants.
Fines due to improper wearing of masks have generated a fair amount of money. Millions in the public coffers, on top of the tax levied on petrol and diesel. Mauritians are now on the constant lookout for fear of being pounced upon by law-enforcing officers at any time. The fear factor is a curse for plebs and a blessing for the authorities. As we struggle with the impact of inflation, Rs 2000 is not a pittance! Every rupee counts!
Kiss and Tell?
The incidence of kiss and tell has greatly fallen due to pandemic; metaphorically at least. Mauritians who were formerly fond of greeting each other with an affectionate kiss or hug now have to watch each other from a safe distance, with the separator being the much-loved sanitiser. The sanitiser has become our best friend, for better or for worse. Norms have changed with social events such as weddings or prayers being conducted among a limited number of people. Whether these changes are temporary or permanent remains to be seen.
Water! Water! Everywhere and Nowhere!
Yet again, water is ever-present and invisible, depending on perspective. Burst water pipes are a common occurrence, washing our roads free of charge. In April 2021, torrential rain heavily affected international examinations as candidates were at risk while commuting to the examination centres. In December 2021, heavy rain is still wreaking havoc in many parts of the country. Nonetheless, Mauritian households have been deprived of a 24/7 supply of water despite repeated political promises. Hollow promises rather. Not a single drop from the tap after days, depending on where you have the misfortune of living. It is a modern-day ‘water apartheid’ in a country which is still unable to channel its water supply wisely.
Corruption and Friends
Friends of some of our governors have once more emerged as the lucky contract winners. Somehow, the sun seems to shine brighter for them while the common lot remains blissfully unaware of the plethora of opportunities available. The Midas touch is clearly an exclusivity known only to those who have been initiated to the restricted circle of friends of some of our governors. Despite official enquiries, many questions remain woefully unanswered as to how some are favoured. While we are at it, hurray to nepotism too! Well, with this trend, the whole country will be stinking soon enough!
Politics: The Face Story
Yes, the sad story of ‘Look at your face’ has become something of a national legend; the Face Story. As parliamentary protocol is constantly thrown to the wind, Mauritians are left scratching their heads as to the circus which is far from entertaining and has bordered on 
bullying. With members of the opposition being systematically ordered out or walking out in protest, constructive debates in the interest of the country can only be found in archives. These carefully preserved relics are the reminder that once, civilisation happened!
Shut Up and Smile
Mauritians have been actively encouraged to shut up and smile, in the wake of a controversial amendment to an Act linked to public broadcasting. Even better, the sole notorious state propaganda box will voluntarily censor your words if its loyal sycophants feel that you are using offensive words even if you are respectfully stating the plain truth. Rulers wish to live in the illusion of rosy castles in the sky. Classic ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ syndrome! If you want to stay out of trouble, just pretend everything is sunny and cheery. Whistleblowers should content themselves with wolf-whistling instead of whispering juicy, rotten secrets into the ears of journalists. Otherwise, they will be sent to the daunting Russian inspired Gulag! 
Hope?
Is it a stretch too far to hope? While many of our fellow Mauritians are still reeling from the shockwaves of the pandemic in different ways, one of which being the recent vertiginous hike in the prices of petrol and diesel as a coup de grâce, we have to stick to our guns and cruise on. Hope is what we make of it. So, like it or not, say hello to 2022!
