Andre's Auto

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021 18 ENGINE CONTINUED FROM 10 ANDRE’S AUTO 40TH ANNIVERSARY persons sanitise and wear masks, and in the event that a customer is without a mask, we will provide one for them free of cost,”stated the business owner. Hylton made reference to an arti- cle he wrote for The Gleaner during the early days of the pandemic, im- ploring the Government to look at ways to sanitise designated public transportation areas, such as bus parks and taxi stands, in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. Another of his early COVID-19 tactics was handing out brochures to people that spoke to understand- ing and dealing with the virus. He jokes that even now people still pass through his office to remove a brochure from his desk as a way of keeping in the know. It was this kind of foresight that allowed him to adapt quickly to the rapidly changing business environment, and continue running an effective and profitable business. He is also of the mindset that public education is paramount in getting things under control, by dispelling ignorance and assuaging fears as- sociated with the public perception of COVID-19. As Hylton mused about the cur- rent state of affairs, he recalled a story from his distant past that spoke to how we must continue to act in the near future. He says:“When I was a youngster I went into a rum bar with a friend of mine in a country place, and I saw a countryman pour a cork full of white rum in his hand and rub it all over his face and body. I was wondering if theman had the flu, but really and truly what he was doingwas sanitis- ing. That culture, particularly in rural parts, has existed for many years. The emphasis on sanitisingwe see now, I think dates back to the Spanish Flu in 1918when people realised they had to bemore conscious of being clean, and COVID-19 has reintroduced that consciousness to the country and to the world.”