Dear Editor,
Covid-19 is a travesty to Guyana and the world! I would think that every human being on the earth has had some relative, friend or associate who has suffered prolonged pains, injuries and death. Covid-19 has been one of the worst harbingers of death and destruction in families, nations and national economies. It has even caused the pauperization of families by deaths of breadwinners. Even if recovered they would never be normal again. The psychological trauma that is left on families – the pains, the depression and other psychological and mental illnesses that result due to sufferings and death cannot be measured. In Guyana and the world we owe a special salute, appreciation and prayers for the medical doctors, nurses and staff that keep looking out for the infected, some of whom contracted the dreadful disease and eventually died. When I visit simple places I speak to people about wearing their masks. Many are proudly proclaiming that they will not take the vaccine nor wear mask. I know of many who contracted the virus and wished they had taken the vaccine or wore a mask. They wished that they had been more proactive in protecting themselves by following the Covid-19 precautionary protocols. I call upon the Guyanese people to get vaccinated!
It is my opinion that if you refuse to take the vaccine, taxpayers’ dollars should not be used to finance treatment if they become Covid-19 infected. I learnt that even though Singapore’s vaccination rate exceeds 80%, one of the highest rates compared to the rest of the world, foreign workers have to contribute in Singapore to a special savings account, which benefits migrant workers in the event of Covid-19 treatment and deaths or serious illnesses. The Singapore government has established laws which states that citizens who refuse the vaccine will have to finance their own medical attention. This is something I as a citizen of Guyana believe in. It is unfair that our tax dollars will have to be used to treat the recalcitrant. The Government is doing the right thing by providing the best of service and vaccines to its citizens but it is wrong for taxpayers’ dollars to pay for those who blatantly refuse to take the vaccines, except for those who might be medically ill otherwise and should not take the vaccines.
Sincerely,
Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan
