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Now that the world is feeling some relief treatments are becoming widely available to fight the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19) it helps to recognise and honour those who have made this extraordinary feat possible. In the face of a pandemic that continues to threaten lives, that has already decimated many, caught many governments off guard, and see many still grappling to contain the spread, science proves, once again, to be of invaluable benefit.
Behind the numerous scientists and doctors of various viral, microbiology and immunology, pharmacology and other related medical disciplines that helped to make the treatments possible are Drs. Kizzmekia Corbett and Moti Ramgopal. The two stand out in a manner that brings pride to Guyana and the ethnicities they identify with. They bring pride to peoples who are usually derided and are from ancestries that President Donald Trump infamously referred to as “sh*thole countries.”
Kizzmekia Corbett is an African American. She has been a key scientist behind the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna, the biotechnology company, in collaboration with the United States (U.S) National Institute of Health (NIH). According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S top infectious disease expert, “The very vaccine that’s one of the two that has absolutely exquisite levels — 94 to 95% efficacy against clinical disease and almost 100% efficacy against serious disease that are shown to be clearly safe — that vaccine was actually developed in my institute’s [NIH] vaccine research center by a team of scientists led by Dr. Barney Graham and his close colleague, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, or Kizzy Corbett.”
Ramgopal is of East Indian descent. He is Guyanese by birth and presently residing in the U.S. As an infectious disease physician, he formed part of the team that developed the REGN-COV2 treatment, which maker Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, calls the “cocktail.” This treatment was used on President Trump when he contracted the virus. The cocktail arguably saved his life. Clinical trials in the U.S of 275 patients proved optimistic according to the biotech company This cocktail is still undergoing further trials.
Both Corbett and Ramgopal are from humble backgrounds, as we would say they were ‘not born with a gold spoon in their mouth.’ But what they have done for the world is worth more than gold. They will be recorded in history as part of the science community that saved lives and restored some semblance of normalcy. The opportunity is taken to advise Guyanese to continue to obey COVID-19 guidelines for there is no cure for the virus. Washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing remain the best prevention. As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” We must continue to be vigilant and observe healthy practices.
Corbett and Ramgopal serve as inspiration for young African and East Indian boys and girls that they too can similarly aspire and achieve. As Guyanese it is a proud moment to know our fellow country man has played such a pivotal role in saving the world from a pandemic if left unchecked would bring more pains and sorrows.
The work of the two scientists should serve as lesson for President Trump and the Government of Guyana. It is hoped they not only take note of who they are and their accomplishments but reflect and aspire to be better, to be like them in committing to doing good for society. they achievements are confirmation that intelligence is not the sole purview of any race. Their life stories are also a lesson in racial respect and a crying shame on those who marginalise and discriminate against people based on their race.
The truth is none of the racist amongst us would refuse to take the vaccine or cocktail because of who played a role in making it possible. None of them would rather die than refuse treatment because of who is responsible for the treatment that can save their lives. Racism is ugly and harmful, and the purveyors of racism a destructive force to society, humanity, and development. This is a lesson to the Government to stop the ethno-politicisation of Guyana because it prevents persons from contributing to development, including saving lives and protecting the environment.
