Dear Editor,
My wife and I checked in at Sleepin just a little after 1am on Friday, August 27th, 2021. One could not escape the prominent sign on the entrance door that says proof of vaccination and wearing of mask are required for entry. However, while we were masked up, the receptionist did not ask for proof of vaccination for registering us as guests. Prudence should have informed me that this was a harbinger of things to come.
After a fairly restful night, I got up around 8 am and made my way to breakfast, which is located on the 5th floor. It was most conspicuous that the four people of a specific ethnic descent waiting on the elevator, were all without masks. When the elevator arrived, they calmly walked in and beckoned me to enter, but the last thing I wanted to do was be in a confined space with non-wearing mask patrons. I respectfully declined and waited for the return of the elevator.
Before I could blink, two Caucasian males joined me, obviously awaiting the return of the elevator too. Not wanting to spurn my opportunity and risk not getting on the elevator a second time, I told them that I was waiting for the elevator and if they were planning to join me that they should put on their masks (not that I had noticed one in their hand or pocket, but who knows…) One responded, “Dude, we don’t wear masks.”
There and then, I decided to forgo breakfast and made my way to the front desk, and told the two ladies behind the counter what I had just experienced. To my surprise, they both looked at me and said nothing, as if I had not just spoken a single word!!!!. When I asked if they had heard me, to my surprise, one responded, “Wah yu wan we fe do? We can’t tell big people wha fu do, if deh don’t wan to do it.” When I told them that the hotel has an obligation to enforce the rules, the other young lady said, “We nah security. Look security sitting deh.” Upon hearing these responses I did what any self-respecting person would do. I checked out and canceled my reservation.
Later that day, as I shared my story with two different taxi drivers of another but similar ethnic descent, they both referred to Sleepin as “untouchables.” Their meaning was clear, as further evidenced by the many staff who walked around the hotel freely without wearing masks, and the few who had on masks, wore them on their chins, as if they were transformed to efficacious chinstraps. I wouldn’t be surprised if many are unvaccinated too. I wouldn’t be surprised if other self-respecting Guyanese and visitors would find alternative accommodations, and refuse to spend their money with a place that shows such blatant disregard for the law, but more importantly, a pronounced disdain for the health and well-being of others.
Sincerely,
Errol Liverpool, PhD.
Clinical Psychologist
