Minister Anthony must be smarter, do better
DEAR EDITOR,
Saying I was hit is just part of the story. To say I am disappointed leaves more than a lot of room untouched. In all honesty, what the Hon. The Minister for Public Health, Frank Anthony, supervised and must be part of it is compromising, because he is, I have to say, irresponsible, even reckless. I’m talking about the news items that state “authorities” give permission for the reopening of public indoor dining (restaurants, etc) on a limited basis during this COVID-19 pandemic. To the Hon. Minister, I humbly present this citizen’s plea: inverting and scraping the mind, sir. Although it was published under the umbrella of “authorities” this layers all the way up to the minister, I urge him to: don’t do it, doc.
Looking at our circumstances easily confirms that we have crept back into dangerous territory. The numbers are against any expansion of measures in place, some good, others not supportive. There was a warm, heart-warming immersion for a short time, just before the holidays when new outbreaks of the virus entered the single digits, and deaths fell very low, sometimes to zero. But that second blip is now stuck, and by scary action, by the nearly three score count that now seems to be the order of the day; three score new cases of infection and death or two in parallel. This is not good, and yet the minister in charge of health security seems unmoved and has allowed this to go ahead with some restaurant reopening. As the Hon. The Minister shared in parts of the media, over 500 cases have been detected in school children since March last year. This is why it is so confusing that the minister looks like he is going against the grain of good sense and into the teeth of ominous viral winds.
The Hon. The Minister should know better, and I think that he does. And since he cannot plead ignorance, then he should reverse the address officially made in the list. He knows about the ‘second wave; he should know very well the wounded and larger trauma than last year visited on places with advanced science and technology and facilities, and with much fear and reel taking place; and of a mutant stressful strain next door. Still, the door is open, which is the wrong one. All of us, at least I do; wants to move again and briskly. To shake hands and embrace. Yes, there is an awareness that not all tees can be crossed and every ‘I’ dotted, but I’m sure we can do better; and better can only be achieved by being conservative.
The nation has been told the vaccines will not be here until the second quarter. I hope it is this year; but even if, as a matter of course, Guyanese is looking at 5-6 months of waiting, that is optimistic. I read about debates and concerns about vaccine democracy and wonder where that will happen. I make no judgment and do not set any aspirations on what may develop here. Yet, when considering past practices and standards (current ones, too) I find it hard to believe that integrity will enrich local arrangements for limited vaccine supply. But that is another issue later in the day.
I am currently focusing on this development which includes approval for restricted public consumption. Citizens have been outspoken about obeying rules and regulations put in place; it is an essential part of the chaos and inconvenience (euphemism) of Guyanese culture and life; just passing places of social gatherings and not much social distance. Some commercial enterprises, always law in their own right, have been less than diligent in enforcing the mandates imposed by authorities as a means of limiting the spread of this pest. Attentive citizens have complained and cursed the criminals and forced selection. In addition, the Hon. The Leader of the Opposition came out of his winter hibernation to criticize the same selective and distressed practice. I’m really glad he did, and who knows, one of these days he might see his shadow as that much-watched hole of American literature, Punxsutawney Phil.
Editor, there is neither politeness nor an attempt at humor, given the serious subject at hand. I’m serious and suddenly so. My wish, my hope, is my call to the final decision-maker, in this case, Dr. Frank Anthony, step up and fulfill his obligations nationwide as a minister and do his best by granting this permission for a limited reopening. He is ultimately responsible. He doesn’t need any guidance from those like me; he knows there is only one decision to be made. Hon. Minister: just do it! Give Guyanese a fighting chance. Save the children. Save us from impatience, indifference.
Correctly,
Lall GHK