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Having to witness your child go off to bed without a meal is not the most pleasing experience for a parent. However, this is the reality of Viviene Francis, who was laid off from her job as a bartender.

Francis, who is a single mother, told THE STAR that since she lost her job due to the COVID-19 restrictions, she hasn’t being able to provide the essentials for her eight- and 12-year-old daughters.

“You see before corona come in, me never have it so hard because me could a hustle. Now, me can’t even find food for me and my children because me don’t have any money,” she said.

“Me all have to send away one of my little girl to stay with her father for a while because I can’t afford it. I still have the younger one here with me,”

The Government imposed a ban on the opening of pubs, bars and nightclubs on March 18 as part of measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease, which is caused by the novel coronavirus. However, with people like Francis finding it difficult to stay afloat in the wicked public health and economic crises, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said his administration is now considering the reopening of bars.

Get back her job

But Francis, who has been unemployed since March 23, is not convinced that she will get back her job as a bartender if they are reopened.

“I use to work in Portland at Mantroneal, a bar, like week on and week off, but me nah go get back that bar work because the owner is saying she might have to work there herself because everything kinda slow, so she can’t pay no workers right now. Me out of a job,” she said.

As she expressed how much turmoil her life is in right now, Francis said she is just seeking some assistance.

“Before corona come in, me never have it so hard because me could a hustle. Now that this is in, me can’t just a go anywhere, because my little daughter sickly and her immune system can’t fight no virus,” she said

“Anything at all somebody can reach out to me with, me would a glad, and thank them very much for it. As long as me can get my little girls something to eat,” the mother said.

The 42-year old, who resides in Denham Town, west Kingston, started selling mangoes outside her home on Monday, but business has not been fruitful.

“A yesterday me get some mangoes fi sell and me have to explain to the man that sell me the mangoes that me have it hard, and him trust me dem and say me must try sell it and pay him back. So any profit me make is to just try and get back some food,” she said.

** Persons willing to assist Viviene Francis may contact her at (876) 367-6416.