‘I cannot stay home’

What is to be, must be - that is the resolve of 87-year-old Ferdinand Foster. The Nelson Road, Kingston, resident sits on a bench on Spanish Town Road every day in the company of five men. He says he won't be stopping any time soon, despite the orders of Prime Minister Andrew Holness that all persons, 75 years and older, must stay home, as the nation fights the spread of COVID-19. This became effective March 25.

"Me affi come out so if anybody know me and a pass dem can stop and gimmie a thing and help me. Me deh pon the road with dem man here most times and me appreciate di company because them love me. Dem nah make I out here and hungry," an adamant Foster told THE STAR.

Family doesn't approve

And, of course, his family doesn't approve. However, he continues to walk from his home to Spanish Town Road to sit along the roadside with his 'brethrens'.

"My family members telling me to stay off the road because of the whole virus thing," he said. "I want to go on the road and get some money."

Foster is aware of the risk he puts himself in by not only being on the road, but also being in close proximity to others. That's a risk he is willing to take.

"I have my vitamins, and my tablets, and dem thing deh, and my wipes. Believe me ... what is to be, must be. When yuh time come, yuh cah stop it, in the name of Jesus. I cannot stay home," he said.

In his more active days, Foster was able to work and fend for himself. "I used to do removal work ... I used to move vehicles but I can't work now because I am an old man. I had eight children and five of them passed off. Some are overseas, but because of what is going on now, they can't even get to send something come give me. Every weh lock down," he said.