Senior citizen forced to endure hunger and darkness

Linnette Shackleford says she was able to pay her bills on time and make ends meets from the meagre wages she earned doing domestic work. However, that changed shortly after COVID-19 hit local shores.

The senior citizen, who suffers from type 2 diabetes, said she has fallen on extremely difficult times, and as a result her electricity and water have been disconnected.

"I am without light from August, and the water cut off from December 8. JPS (Jamaica Public Service) said I owe $50,000, and is that I owe for real; and NWC (National Water Commission) is to get $30,000, but I can't find the money," Shackleford, 70, told THE STAR.

She wants help to put her utilities back on.

Due to her age and medical condition, Shackleford is at a high risk for an adverse outcome if she contracts the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. Jamaica, on Tuesday, crossed the 300-death threshold from the virus. The Ministry of Health and Wellness said that 12,793 cases of the virus have so far been detected in the island, 302 of which have ended in deaths. Some 212 of those who have died are above 60 years old.

Clinicians say that older people are those with co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and chronic kidney disease are at risk for severe outcomes if they contract COVID-19.

Shackleford has heeded the Government's warning to stay home due to her underline condition and age, but now she is suffering.

"Is Hellshire Park I live and the mosquitoes dem terrible at nights; and I don't have any light, so dem bite mi up bad. Sometimes the house hot bad, but right now I can't do any better, except to stay inside and bear the heat," the elderly woman said.

Shackleford said she is the mother of five children, one of whom resides with her. That child, 24, is a sanitation worker who hardly makes enough to put food on the table. The other children, she said, are not always able to assist because they too are burdened with responsibilities of their own. The tears streamed down her face as she spoke about how her life went downhill since the pandemic.

"A lot of times I have to go to bed hungry because mi just can't afford it. My children help out when they can, but them can't help right now because dem have lots of children. Mi have diabetes and have to take insulin every day, but sometimes I can't do it because I don't eat; and when I don't take it, I get sick. Not even breakfast mi eat when mi leave mi house this morning," she said.

"I would be glad for little food. I pray every day that things get better, because mi is normally a independent woman, but right now mi can't manage because mi caah work. Mi not even suppose to go on the road, but I have to try and get help," she said.

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Linnette Shackleford may be contacted via telephone at (876) 341-6115 or (876) 569-2625.