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It has been almost 2 weeks since the passing of Tropical Storm Erika which poured down 15 inches of rain on our nature isle in the early hours of August 27th 2015. Tropical Storm Erika has left serious damage to the island in several communities, with individuals having to be evacuated from their homes. Natural disasters can cause morbidity and mortality rates to increase long after a disaster has passed. Hence effective management of environmental health after a natural disaster is of primary importance. By taking suitable measures to maintain a healthy environment, we can help reduce the risks of disease and death. The environmental health measures that must be considered after a natural disaster include:-

• Distribution of safe and accessible water both for drinking and domestic uses. Do not use water you suspect or have been told is contaminated for domestic purposes such as washing dishes, preparing food, and drinking. Water often can be made safe by boiling, adding disinfectants, or filtering. When properly taken care of, water can then be used for the above mentioned as well as personal hygiene for example washing of hands etc.
• Distribution and protection of safe food products. Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water, perishable foods, and those with an unusual odor, color, or texture. It is recommended that wooden cutting boards, baby bottle nipples, pacifiers etc. be discarded if they made contact with flood water. These items cannot be properly sanitized.
• Sanitary disposal of solid and biological waste. Solid waste products should be properly disposed of. Especially with the increase in the use of bottled water on the island. Instead of being thrown in with regular trash any items that can be recycled should be. Biological waste should be carefully disposed of in order to prevent contamination from airborne diseases.
• Ensuring that you breathe in proper air. As we may have noticed by driving or walking through certain parts of the island, there is a rise in dirt and dust particles in the air. Breathing in dust and dirt can have many negative effects on the body. In addition the odor of dead and decomposing tissue in the environment can attribute to many diseases and infections. When in such areas it is best to wear a mask or any item to properly cover your face.

We want all our citizens to be healthy for the rebuilding task ahead.  Do you have any further additional suggestions for keeping healthy as we cope with the aftermath of this storm?  Share with us in the comments below.

Fortunate for us we live in a country where we have the privilege to choose people we believe have the ability to make this nation prosperous; people who work for the benefit of society and wellbeing of all by providing a system where all basic needs like food, shelter, education and health care are readily and affordably available.

As we are approaching Election Day we would like to remind our fellow Dominicans that it’s our right to vote – a right that many people made great sacrifices and fought for. Allow me to express a few other simple reasons why we should vote and vote wisely:

1. To ensure that important issues like social security are dealt with in the most appropriate manner and principles like honesty are exercised. Voting allows you to eliminate the less desirable candidates and replace them with those who share your views.

2. Your children. You probably aren’t in a situation where you can provide jobs for your children on your own and continue to protect them from the cruelty of life but you know their needs and wants, you have plans for their future. The government you choose will greatly affect your children’s life.

Although the importance of voting has been emphasized worldwide there are still those who may give reasons why they shouldn’t vote. Amongst those reasons are; “all politicians are the same” and “my vote will not count” but each and every vote in fact counts. Here I quote American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson who said “Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good. ‘Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm.”

Election Day is only 2 days away. Exercise your right to vote but remember it’s not a matter of which politicians you like or prefer it’s a matter of placing the nation (family, friends, neighbours, education, health care, national security, employment, infrastructure etc.) into capable and responsible hands.

For the love of country VOTE conscientiously!

This year our island celebrated its 36^th anniversary of independence.  This season draws much excitement for our people; the thrills of dressing in our national wear, eating creole dishes, listening to creole songs and cadence music.  Some were very excited about the events like   Creole in the Park and World Creole Music Festival.  Because of all these activities many Dominicans returned home.  Some made arrangements for rental property while others made arrangements to stay with family members, and the rest returned to the home they built for times when they choose to visit for short periods and when they eventually return home upon retirement.

Speaking to a client last week who recently returned to Dominica, she expressed her satisfaction of having invested in a piece of land in the country side in Dominica where she built a small house.  Although distant from the town, she was happy that she was home, in her own home.  While away, she had a friend maintain the land for her and he was thoughtful enough to cultivate the land with food crops.  She spoke about being here at the right season which allowed her to walk just a few feet from her home to pick fruits like tangerine and orange.  Eager to eat ‘fig and codfish’ she’s looking forward to picking the ‘fig’ from her own land.  The conversation concluded by her saying “had I known the feeling that having my own home in my beloved country brings, I would have made that investment many years ago.”

In August we received an email from a gentleman who had recently visited Dominica and was planning a return trip.  Still excited about his experience, he was adamant of his intention to purchase a piece of land; owning a part of Dominica had become one of his goals.  La Plaine, I remember, was one of the places that impressed him.  On the subsequent visit he scheduled showings with Millenia Realty and a few other real estate companies and although the land he eventually bought was from another real estate agent, we were happy that he left satisfied.

To Dominicans living abroad, owning land in Dominica is a sanctuary; a place of safety, a place to rejuvenate.  To foreigners who continue to live outside of Dominica it is a place of escape, a home away from home.  To retirees, it’s like the saying goes “once a man twice a child” – you leave home, go out of state to work and return home to be in a worry free environment just as you did as a child!