A story in last Saturday's STAR is a sure reminder of how politics can affect us.

The article spoke of the fears of people from around the island who are afraid to visit the US Embassy in the midst of the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extradition issue and brings about the question of whether or not aspiring visa holders should be worried.

Following the reported cancellation of Wayne Chen's visa and also that of a superintendent of police, people are scared, to say the least, to try their luck at obtaining a US visa.

The truth is such a situation is quite understandable as the tension surrounding this extradition is truly frightening as people are anticipating what may become of it.

Amid all this anxiety the people are of the belief that the US will seek ways to send a message to Jamaica and a drastic decrease in the number of visas granted is one way they believe this can be done.

The article, however, quoted someone from the embassy as saying visas would be granted as usual to those who are qualified.

This situation is truly a delicate one and whatever the truth may be behind it all, it does call for some serious thought.

With the embassy commenting on the matter it would only be wise for persons to try their best at meeting the criteria attached to obtaining the visa.

Let's not panic and make this issue any more sensitive than it already is.