– Current Capital City, new town, new bridge
Very mistakenly, when I received my two shots of the Sputnik V coronavirus disease (COVID) vaccines weeks ago, I thought that it had the approval of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Up front two “relevant asides” I make: former unorthodox American President Trump must be remembered as the leader who aggressively influenced American laboratories to produce COVID vaccines in record time utilizing previous resources and trials at their disposal and, as with his attitude to some other established international agencies the world seems to need – WTO, NATO, WHO, the UN itself – Mr Trump cared little for the functions – or approval – of the WHO. Like him or not, he has caused those global institutions to be subjected to necessary scrutiny and accountability. (For example just what authority does the UN/WHO have to make the Chinese submit to rigid international investigations as to COVID’s alleged Chinese origins?
But back to Sputnik-V and me. A current senior government (relevant) functionary – noting my “contributions” and post-75 age, eventually persuaded me to get vaccinated.
Back home I decided to read carefully the flyer on the Sputnik V version I received after the first shot. I learnt just where that Russian vaccine was “manufactured”. Then, as with the world’s other six/seven vaccines, the brochure informs that “the Sputnik V vaccine stimulates the body’s natural defences – one’s immune system – and causes it to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus.
I also soon discovered the reason for my own mis–conception: Sputnik V was/is not WHO approved. It “was documented as the first registered COVID-19 vaccine in the world”. That happened in August (11), 2020.
My mild concern still centres around the fact that there is the advice that even after receiving both shots of Sputnik V, you are still obliged to mask up etc etc. Vaccines are not cures they offer limited protection and immune boosts. Obviously, it seems that the COVID is still a clear and present danger to mankind. Yet there is vaccine hesitancy amongst many populations. And right here in good old under-developed, oil-rich but exploited Guyana.
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Joe’s concerns, some extreme suspicions
I‘ve always conceded, during the 28 years of this “working–class–level” column, my preference for more analytical minds and articulate voices to pronounce. This COVID issue attracts my caution. So here I merely reflect information disseminated/debated since February/March 2020.
One local thrice–weekly television programme has been recently consistent in airing American medical scientists – with a few vaccine recipients – who debunk the anti–COVID vaccines. The presentations actually highlight all the dangers possible after the vaccines are taken.
We are a democracy. People are free to consider proven evidence and their own considered options. Me? I support the vaccines!
Last week I noted the concerns and queries of the former Brigadier-President’s current Opposition Leader Joe Harmon regarding those Russian vaccines. Hoping that Joe is being responsible, I also support his right to demand transparent answers about acquisition, authenticity and proof. Our millions being expended. We need some donations too. But vaccine hesitancy is also being inculcated by some extremist scary conspiracies and theories.
Using Afro-American experiences when vaccines were used to abuse Afro men in a certain Tuskegee experiment some Afro-American influencers preach against the COVID vaccines. Some mischievous theorists suggest that the Chinese want world dominance through vaccine money and population control. This latter (control) will result in a New World Order, one televised group pronounces.
Frankly speaking, a devastating modern day pandemic can be bolstered by the anti-vax lobbies. What do you think?
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Eleven months, dire accusations
You’ll have your own opinions – based on evidentiary knowledge? Biases? – if you are “a loyal PPP”. Or a “die-hard PNC”.
After eleven months in office, the opposition PNC, its proxies and surrogates, local and “American”, accuse the PPP of, among other mischiefs, the following: racial discrimination against Afro–Guyanese; dismissals of (PNC) supporters, Afros from government jobs; sabotaging the Police Service Commission and the flood responses; unnecessary borrowing; budgetary manipulation and ineptitude; inability/reluctance to re-negotiate the past coalition’s horrendous oil–and–gas agreement(s); devaluation of the EPA; specific racism against Afro–Cubans/Haitians; destruction of GECOM…
Whew! I’ll stop there for now. Did not the Ali/Jagdeo dudes do nothing right since last August? What about attempted electoral power-grabs.
To debate publicly the above I’d love to hear Edghill, Jagdeo, Teixeira, Nandlall (PPP) versus Norton, Harmon, Lawrence, Figueira (PNC). I’ll moderate Ho-ho-ho!
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Vision! New towns; capabilities?
One year after Cheddi Jagan reassumed governmental authority (1993) a rugged plain-spoken Minister – Harripersaud Nokta, shocked me pleasantly with his simply-articulated vision. He said that a Guyanese family must be able to enter their vehicle at Parika and, except for bathroom breaks, not disembark until they arrive at Cayenne past Suriname
Like Forbes Burnham’s earliest visionary projects and long-term plans for development Mr Nokta’s hopes were a welcome departure from the ordinary.
For decades no government really “conquered” our drainage woes nationally. Does this Ali/Jagdeo management have the capabilities to construct new modern bridges, roads, highways and necessary infrastructure? A brand new town to complement or replace garbage city Georgetown? In whose life- time?
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Spare a thought…
● 1) If thousands refuse the acquired COVID vaccines, will they not expire some time? Wasting millions?
● 2) Will enterprising journalists and/or Civil Society reps monitor the building of the Sheriff Street/Mandela Highway?
● 3) Thousands of Afghans who assisted the American Army can’t get visas to the USA. But thousands of Latin Americans are walking in illegally.
● 4) This might be rare, but I share David Granger’s concern about our overall security policy – and the boys-in–black police “corporate” P.R. team. Necessary?
`Til next week
