We must reject attempts to defy the efforts of Govt

Dear Editor,
It is unfortunate that Ms Annie Baliram holds such views on the PPP / C Government’s efforts in dealing with COVID-19.
Without a doubt, the PPP / C Government has continually emphasized the pandemic and the welfare of all Guyanese, from the moment he took office. Strategies were formulated from the outset, and rolled out throughout Guyana. Those strategies ranged from providing personal protective gear to dispensing masks; COVID-19 cash grant; and, more recently, citizen vaccination.
We would all recall the numerous images of various PPP officers dispensing masks all over the country during the five-month period when the APNU + AFC was busy trying to stay in office by fraud. So, I can’t understand how Ms. Baliram concludes that the Government is “playing politics with our lives”. It’s absurd, to say the least.
Baliram’s assertion, “that the Government can easily access a million COVID-19 vaccines to cover the entire Guyanese population in a short space of time”, is an indication of how uncomfortable it is on this issue. It must be noted that when it comes to securing vaccines for a more extensive nationwide vaccination program, there are many complexities to deal with; as many countries around the world, even the developed ones, face similar challenges to those of Guyana in getting larger quantities of the vaccines from manufacturers.
The pandemic is a global phenomenon, and the shortage of vaccines in countries around the world is growing because demand for it is growing daily, as the larger, more advanced nations – many of which paid millions in advance – are mog up most of the vaccines produced. . How is a small developing nation like ours bullying the US, UK, China, India and others to get to the front of the line?
In terms of current efforts, if one were to examine the percentage of the population of Guyana vaccinated against the percentage of many countries in the developed world, considering supply and resources, Guyana is doing very well. However, there is no denying that there is a long way to go.
It is clear that the Government of Guyana is putting measures in place to ensure that citizens are cared for as far as possible. A COVID-19 cash grant, which Ms. Baliram notes that it was inadequate for Guyanese during the pandemic, merely a reflection of her personal views on the Government. In fact, the cash grant has greatly assisted Guyanese, and this is a fact, contrary to the simple opinion shared by Baliram in her letter.
Finally, it cannot be ignored that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting countries despite their size and resources. As we wait for more vaccines to arrive, it is vital that we prioritize our health and well-being, as COVID-19 is a global health crisis that can only be tackled collectively.
At the same time, it is equally critical that we reject the efforts made by people like Baliram – who appear to have grouse with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP – aimed at only towards defying the Government ‘s efforts in dealing with the. the pandemic.

Yours respectfully
Erin Northe