This week the voices calling for a lockdown in Guyana because of COVID-19 multiplied. I agree with the voices. Four people have died. It is better to implement measures now that will help to suppress the spread of the virus rather than wait for the numbers of infected to increase.
The mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, had earlier this week said that he could not lock down the city immediately because measures had to be put in place. Since then, it was announced on Thursday by President Granger that a curfew is to be implemented from 6pm to 6am daily from April 3rd. Public places and businesses must be closed. Public and private offices are instructed to operate for no more than four hours a day. We are encouraged to continue practicing social distancing by not gathering in crowds and staying at home.
During this time, it will be challenging for many businesses, families and individuals. Loss of income will certainly occur. And with no stimulus cheques here, many people are on edge. Whatever the losses that will occur as a result of the restrictions, however, whatever the challenges, locking down the city is the sensible option instead of risking the possibility of closing the coffins of multiple Guyanese. We have to imagine the worse possible outcome and let that be driving force in implementing drastic measures.
In New York, morgues are filled in some places. Bodies are being stored in trucks on the street.
We cannot ignore the fact that we are not adequately equipped in Guyana to deal with hundreds or thousands of cases. We cannot simply hope that all will be well, especially since some of our citizens have not been taking precaution since the first case was announced. We all are aware of the deficiencies in our healthcare system and if coronavirus were to infect hundreds or thousands of our citizens, the consequences may be dire. If morgues are filled in some places in New York City, a place where over eight million people reside, where folks may have access to some of the best healthcare, what would happen in Guyana if hundreds or thousands of citizens were to die? PAHO/WHO first estimated 1,400 cases in Guyana. That figure has now jumped to 20,000 by May if drastic measures are not in place to ensure our safety. One case is enough; imagining 20,000 is a nightmare. Four lives have been lost and that is too many already.
In our quiet time and in conversation with relatives and friends, many have pondered on whether the world will ever be the same again? This new reality of isolation, an end of socialising in public spaces, uncertainty about the remainder of this year, has caused us to reflect on just weeks ago when we were free. There is certainly a new appreciation of freedom.
At the end of the pandemic, though we may have freedom of movement again, how many of us will have lost relatives or friends? While most of us are likely to live to tell the tale, what long term impact would this time have on how we navigate life moving forward? Hopefully it inspires us to be more compassionate; to show love even when it is not reciprocated. Hopefully it inspires us to take risks; to stop delaying experiences we wish to have. COVID-19 is a reminder that our time on this earth is limited.
Hopefully it will help with race relations. Following the March 2nd elections, we witnessed the results of distrust and hatred between the two major ethnicities. Hopefully COVID-19 helps the ignorant and hateful to see the need for change and begin to better themselves and the way they look at others.
Perhaps the earth is on the verge of rebirth. Perhaps COVID-19 will change the status quo. Maybe it is the culmination of a period where we witnessed slavery, wars, genocides and pandemics. Perhaps a transformation will lead us into a period of peace and enlightenment, of love and not hate, of holistic health and not disease. But it also could mean that more dreadful times ahead; that we the citizens of the earth will have some of our freedoms taken. Look how quickly our lives have changed because of COVID-19 in a matter of weeks. Our freedoms have suddenly transformed to confinement and restrictions. Suddenly some of us have started to question our mortality.
Still we cannot let our response to the virus be led by fear. It is the fear of the unknown that disturbs many. It is the fear of the risk. It is fear of losing loved ones. But fear will only slowly kill us. Fear often leads to leads to panic. And when we start panicking, we are more likely to be stressed and stress can have devastating effects on our health. It is imperative that we take care of our physical and mental health. Whether we believe in prayer or meditation or even if we are not spiritual or religious, now is a time when we need to calm our minds. We cannot simply pray the virus away or believe that we are protected because of our religion or spirituality, still we must find balance and calm. Whatever our coping mechanisms, we must do everything in our power to remain safe.
We need to check in daily on our loved ones. We must be the strength of those who may not be as strong as we are. And though we may be strong, we too must find solace in our loved ones. Share light moments, reminisce on the good times and imagine that when this is all over how greater our appreciation for life will be.
Many families who do not usually spend quality time together are now confined to their homes. Parents have the opportunity to reconnect with their children who may be neglected at times because of the demands of work and school. Husbands and wives who may have grown apart can work on rebuilding trust and love in their relationships. It is a great time for healing in the family.
We do not have to be prisoners in our homes. We can use the time to rebuild, reconnect and rediscover the beauty in ourselves and each other. We can pledge to heal the world together as we first heal ourselves.
