Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 14, 2020 Letters
Dear Editor,
The cases of COVID-19 in Guyana are increasing each day at an alarming rate. There are currently 623 known cases of this deadly virus, which does not account for the unknown cases. The government may eventually have to consider a lockdown of the country in an effort to stem the spiraling cases and to ensure the safety of all citizens. The challenges associated with a lockdown are recognized. There will have to be measures put in place by the government to provide assistance to those who require it during a lockdown. Once these measures can be implemented, a lockdown will be advisable.
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis of the Bahamas has instituted a lockdown on each island in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The Bahamas has 679 reported COVID cases and 14 deaths.
The Government of Guyana has recently demonstrated completely irresponsible behaviour in the face of this virus by having a mass gathering in the form of an Inauguration ceremony at the National Cultural Centre, an enclosed air-conditioned venue. If there were any seriousness being paid to ensuring the safety of its citizens at this time, the Government ought to have deferred or cancelled such a gathering, which was replete with pomp and pageantry at the time of this virus. The swearing-in of the Ministers at the Convention Center was also a risk, moreso since it seemed that photographs of the Ministers, in an act of vanity, all necessitated the removal of facemasks so that their features may be better identifiable. Such irresponsible behaviour could result in the infection of many persons with the virus.
Sadly, we have learnt that Minister Hugh Todd has tested positive for this virus. Minister Todd has certainly done the rounds recently and has no doubt been in contact with numerous persons who must now be fearful for their safety. Press releases indicate that, apart from the swearing in and the ill-advised inauguration, he held familiarization meetings with staffers of the Ministry and a press conference with the Surinamese president and Foreign Minister, Ramdin. I cringed when I saw the picture in the press of Minister Todd with these officials and President Ali, with no social distancing protocols observed and all maskless. We have now learnt that Min. Todd has tested positive for the virus!
This is not only peculiar to Minister Todd. The same can most likely be the case for several other persons who attended these social gatherings. The Members and Heads of the respective disciplined services, whose attendance and participation at the inauguration is a matter of compulsion without any discretion, have been recklessly exposed.
COVID-19 victims, when they use the cups with the President’s image plastered thereon which were distributed to all attendees at the Inauguration ceremony, will have a tangible reminder of the cost of vanity prevailing above caution and good sense. There has to be some good sense prevailing at this time and it has to start with the government. The fact that a Minister of Health was not immediately appointed at the time of the swearing-in of the President and other ministers, is a clear illustration that the virus was not, and is not, being taken seriously by this Government. If they are demonstrating a complete lack of regard for the precautionary protocols to curb the spread of this virus, then how can we expect our citizens to do the same?
It is reported that all Ministers have been advised to work remotely. What about the other members of the work force who have been in contact with Minister Todd? The remote working from home, which has now been directed to the Ministers of Government ought to be extended to all levels in order to flatten the curve and reduce cases of this virus.
There has to be mandatory facemask wearing by all Guyanese and strict penalties for breach of such a direction. There has to be a ban on all social gatherings. Persons should remain at home unless only necessary. The decision to reopen of bars and restaurants has to be revisited.
I have seen the release in the press by Giftland Mall of the proposed reopening of the cinemas on Friday. My immediate reaction was one of horror and disbelief. This is a foolhardy and risky decision, which will have disastrous consequences. The Management of Giftland Mall has demonstrated complete and total disregard for the safety of Guyanese by making a decision to reopen the theaters. The press release outlined some basic “safety” measures, which will be taken while at the same time saying that food and drink will be available. There is no way to eat or drink without wearing a mask so, as a result, there will be patrons all maskless in the theaters which will result in a surefire spread of the virus within the enclosed, air-conditioned theaters. This decision to reopen theaters will result in a certain spike in the number of cases and must not be allowed to happen. It is too much of a risk. In the United States where the virus is still out of control, infectious disease experts have described the decision to reopen movie theaters as being akin to Russian roulette: the risk is there!
There has to be the re-imposition of strictly- enforced early curfews and measures put in place to ensure compliance with all safety guidelines regarding this virus. Unless all Guyanese work together towards curbing the spread of this virus, it will have dire consequences for the lives and safety of us all.
Yours truly,
Stephanie Isaacs
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