Villagio tragedy and moving forward
After reading many posts, even flor1212 who at times is insensitive but I have to side with him on one thing. Life goes on. We all had losses in our lives, but we must not dwell on the negative but look to the positive. Yes, it is not easy for those who lost loved ones,
Now the truth is we can all moan and complain (I made suggestions myself) but are these complaints worthwhile? Will the authorities change things? Now, I am thankful for all the pluses the people of Qatar gave to me. My medication at hamad was 2qr. Now nobody really mentions the pluses. I respect the authorities in every country I visit and believe in the goodness of people.
Back to villagio, the authorities did not purposefully want this to happen its an accident. Are there things that the authorities can learn from, of course. Will they make sweeping changes? I think so. It won't be two days before the start of the world cup, but I can see that changes will happen promptly. Safety is in the interests of Qataris too.
I am sure all of you from the west cringe when you see babies and toddlers without baby seats or drivers driving erradically while texting and talking on their cell phones. I just shake my head and think do these people know any better, uneducated or just are ignorant? Governments, societies and families spend a lot of money to raise a child. To not use baby seats for example is potentially throwing all your money away. Villagio is no different. Safety measures are available, but to not use them,,,, well,,,,,,,you see the results.
For me and I assume many others, we will wait and see what happens. If the measures are not up to par well, the airport is nearby and we can leave. After all, this is not our country and telling the host what to do without them asking us for our opinions is not going to go over well. I made that mistake of making suggestions regarding hiring practices here as a potential problem on hiring incompetent workers.
I hope that a Qatar safety panel is set up and safety professionals and consultants can make Qatar even safer.
Lessons will be learned. Hopefully, new H&S methods will be adopted and adjustments will be made to procedures and processes.
Whether this happens or not, life will go on. We will soon forget this tragedy, like many others and only be reminded of it on the anniverasry.
Such is life..
Points to ponder
Toddlers are supposed to have classes/nursery on the ground floor... its much more easier for them and everyone. And after an incident like this I believe its better for the kids to have an assembly area where they can run to in case of fire.
I believe people in the mall were able to exit quickly except the kids..
maybe if it was on the ground floor the kids would have had a chance....
My sister, Read the message of Weekes Family in newspapers or QL , your views will change specially of your last paragraph , I suppose.
Remember to come back, if possible.
Helen and others who agree with her statement "I don't see myself as a guest in this country..." should go through this previous discussions.
Oh heck, now all we need is "one of them" to tune in and tell us "if we don't like it then leave".... that statement really gets my back up.... and sooo stupid, arrogant and unnecessary!
I don't see myself as a guest in this country... even though it is my husband that is working and not me at the moment... we are all living here and most of us think of Qatar as our second home... and sorry, but without our help building this country... it would still be little basic mud houses and villages!
I agree with Tomtud in his initial post - HOWEVER...
LEST WE FORGET..
Yes, this was an accident of a sort - possibly unavoidable by the look of things that occurred but please don't ask us that are still affected by this tragedy to "move on".. it is not that simple.
AND if we don't continue to discuss everything, then I believe the Qataris will be rubbing their hands together in glee and sweeping most of it under the carpet and nothing much will change!
Just sayin'...... :(
I dunno about roundabouts, flor, we don't have them in the US. But I was taught how to negotiate them in Oman, which has a very strict and good system of round-about legalities. And they will ticket for things like not signaling or changing a lane while in a round-about.
Mandi
MM? We came from our jobs back in the US and we are returning to those jobs after Qatar. In demand? Yes, I think I can say so!
Mandi
that was first to teach these locals how to drive? They even design their roads? Who is the originator of roundabouts?
Or it may have something to do with JApanese-made LC and US-made SUV's?
Timings? It's not use in our country.
The road death-rates alone make this place far more dangerous than any Western country.
I am 'not' surprised that you are 'not' in demand even in your own country despite your 'special' skills.
how you define safety and what is better.
But your last comment confirm how you view your work also. ANd if I follow your thinking, I would definitely say Qatar is safe and better for many of us because exactly of your reasoning.
Even the expats coming from other Arab countries are safer here. The Asians are definitely better here. The western friends I knew feel better and safer here. I'm really surprised about your view. Do you really think that "us" you are mentioning if will return home, this country will go back to primitive times?
No, it's not a better and safer country for many of us. That's why we came. Those of us in education, health care and safety were invited to come to Qatar to work and help make it a better and safer country!
Mandi
Give sometimes to those families who had lost their love ones. It is not even a week that tragedy had happened. It is easy for people like us to forget about it in a snap of fingers but that those family who are grieving.
I do not think people are complaining, people just trying to give inputs in any way, with the hope it will be read and taken and for a cause of prevention. It is for others to understand and it is for authorities to take actions.
No matter what Qatar is still a better and safe country to live it and the place where we called our 2nd home.
( deleted by mod) ......please give me a break...... we're not guests in a hotel ffs
Well said Tomtud, particularly "telling the host what to do without them asking us for our opinions is not going to go over well", indeed a wise statement.
Tomtud...I have no opinion....this is not my country is it?? I couldn't careless about political decisions as I am not Qatari!!
I love your sarcasm Angelina. If you think your opinion matters that the Qataris would listen you would probably not be here but would be sitting with them and discussing various issues. So, it is true your opinion to sway political decisions is pointless. There is a flight to London leaving later today, you're on it ?
Oh well there's no point in having an opinion then as this is not my country and the airport is near.....ho hum moving on....
All we can hope for is lessons are learnt and to be more aware in future!