Dear Editor,
At the stroke of midnight 2020, it was the wish of everyone that 2021 be a better year. Thus far it does not seem promising since the COVID-19 virus is even more out of control in the world with mutations of the virus prevalent in the UK, South Africa and our neighbouring Brazil and now Trinidad and Tobago. What is more alarming is the continued lack of response and inaction from the Guyana Government concerning the virus, its spread and the highly transmissible nature of the new strain. There have been editorials written in the Stabroek News and columns in other newspaper publications referring to the lack of response by the Government.
The Minister of Health has stated that Guyana lacks the capacity to test for the new virus strain and that the Government is “concerned” about the new strain. Despite this “concern”, the Government has not taken any positive steps to ensure that this new strain does not affect Guyana. There has been no travel ban on flights emanating from the United Kingdom. Now this strain has been found in the US and in Trinidad so the prudent move would be to close the airports to protect the people of Guyana. The virus is raging in the developed countries of the world where more than 400,000 persons have died from it in the United States.
In the United Kingdom, there were more than 1300 deaths in one day causing London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to declare a “major incident” in the city. If it is out of control in these developed countries, one can only imagine what will transpire here in Guyana if this highly transmissible strain started to spread. In our neighbouring Brazil, the government has had to use military intervention to airlift oxygen deeper into the country since the local supply had run out. We do not have such resources as that available to Brazil, and, as stated in this newspaper’s editorial of January 17, 2021, if a similar situation occurs here “it would be a catastrophe”.
As of yesterday, Guyana recorded 128 new positive cases of this deadly virus within a period of 48 hours. The death rate of 170 will undoubtedly increase at this rate. Despite these very troubling statistics, the Government continues its stance of remaining silent concerning the virus and doing, quite frankly, nothing to prevent the spread or avoid the strain from entering Guyana.
The President does not address the nation on a single plan concerning the virus, assuming there was one. In Guyana, there continues to be gatherings and congregating of persons since the curfew starts at 10:30 pm. There are packed church pews at church services and funerals, hair salons remain open, stores and businesses are all open. In fact, it is life as per normal despite the fact that there is a deadly virus and a mutation thereof looming.
It is up to us, the people of Guyana to protect ourselves in view of the lethargy and unwillingness of the Government so to do. In fact, instead of implementing safe measures to protect the people, the Government seems to be deliberately doing otherwise! In an appalling amendment to the COVID-19 guidelines, the Government has approved a return to indoor dining at a 40 percent capacity which is such an ill-advised move at this time. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Carla James, proudly speaks of inspection of restaurants and approval being given to 32 of them thus far; this is nothing to be proud of. The GTA must have great powers to be able to monitor all 32 of these restaurants to ensure adherence to the indoor capacity. Such decision to reopen indoor dining ought to be immediately rescinded. In fact, New York Governor, Cuomo, recently again barred indoor dining in New York restaurants to grapple with the rising number of cases of the virus there.
Assuming that the Government is somehow nonplussed as to how it should proceed, a few suggestions are made hereunder. There has to be immediate closure of airports, implementation of an early and effective curfew from 6 pm to 6 am, monitored mask wearing mandates and educational campaigns using social media and the press to stress the importance of taking measures for safety. There further should be stay-at-home orders for those who can afford to remain at home. Public servants need to revert to the rotation of staff which previously existed.
All bars and restaurants need to be closed. Persons need to wear masks at all times when out of the home, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently.
Technology has been working in our favour and has been making life possible with working from the safety of our homes. If there is a continued spike in cases, there will have to be stricter measures implemented. In the UK, they were forced so to do. This Government has demonstrated a complete lack of regard for the safety and wellbeing of the people of Guyana and if there were a no- confidence motion on the ground on their response to this virus, it would certainly be upheld. I urge this Government to awaken from its slumber in this regard and work assiduously to put measures in place to curb the spread of this virus before it is too late for us all.
Yours sincerely,
Stephanie Isaacs
