The upsurge of infection of children in the school system is an ominous signal as to the efficiency and effectiveness of the country’s COVID-19 response. Evidently the management of this deadly virus leaves much to be desired. It has not gone unnoticed by many Guyanese of the recent upsurge in cases. This is similar to experiences noted in the United States of America (USA) where schools opened against best advice have been forced to close their doors and resort to virtual classrooms.
Comparatively in the USA, even though the schools tried to reopen, there is greater resources and accommodation compared to what was put in place here to accommodate and ensure Guyanese children study in a safe environment that would minimise, if not eliminate, the risk of COVID-19 infections. As in the USA it is not strange therefore to see a surge resulting in increasing infections and forced closures.
Our children are our greatest resources. They are our future. They rely on the adults of this world to make decisions that would protect them. It is a shame on the government that schools were reopened and hand sanitising, which is of critical importance, saw outdoor sinks incomplete. The absence of soap and water makes a mockery of the effort to prevent a rapidly spreading disease that can be contained with greater hand washing, wearing of masks and social distancing.
It is the Minister of Education and Government’s responsibility to make wise decisions. This global public health crisis as of November 14th have recorded 4823 Guyanese infected and 139 have died. The decision making as it relates to COVID-19 must not be like playing Russian roulette with the lives of our children and all Guyanese. There have been infections in the dorms of President’s College on the East Coast of Demerara and North West Secondary School in Mabaruma. Apart from the virus in the schools, entire communities are affected and being locked down. Another troubling situation is the spread in far off communities. For instance, St Cuthbert’s Mission, a small Amerindian community on the Linden Sosedyke Highway, has more than 200 residents that have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The government continues to prove it is incapable or ill-equipped to effectively combat the disease. Government alone is not the resolution to the COVID-19 pandemic. A pandemic that affects all Guyanese, knows no ethnicity or political party, President Irfaan Ali is operating as though his government can do it alone and not needing the input and support of others in the planning and execution of their programme. A disease of this severity requires all hands on board. The situation is scary, yet the government continues to operate nonchalant and abusive to those who dare to publicly question or express any concern about the manner in which they are handling the situation. It is time it be accepted that they are not doing something right. Government needs to form a broad based non-partisan coalition to deal with the pandemic. A public health crisis, where Guyanese lives are being lost, should not be a partisan issue, or an issue to be dealt with lightly. The life of every single Guyanese matter.
