Government must do better in fight against Covid-19 

A government of the people never gives up on the people. Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony’s statement that “as our case fatality is at 2.3%, or put another way, for every 100 persons infected with the virus, two would lose their lives” sounding a death knell when it should not be. The statement comes across as raising the white flag of surrender, in the face of admittance that “COVID 19 is a serious disease.”

There is no denying the novel coronavirus is a serious disease. The number of infections and deaths around the world, including Guyana is enough evidence. But where there is divergence of view is acceptance of the possibility of death even after there are vaccines, which sounds fatalistic not proactive. It was understandable before the vaccine there could have been projection or acceptance of loss of lives. With availability of vaccines the Minister’s prognosis is unfortunate.

No person in the post-vaccine period should have to die. Or if it is expected, according to the Minister, that there will be 2 deaths in every 100 infected. It is unacceptable. This seems that instead of seeking avoidance measures there is resignation. Statements like these create more fear than confidence that the government is handling this pandemic properly. This is not good for Guyana and Guyanese.

There is an urgent need to have a national coordinated effort to combat the pandemic. The report that approximately 11 percent of the population is vaccinated is not only alarming but also an indictment of the government’s strategy to get people vaccinated. Every day the government takes a do-it-alone approach, they continue to hurt the society. Partisanship could never succeed in the fight of this national scale.

No public health crisis is successfully won when only some, not all, are involved. This is basic. The point cannot be belaboured enough that it is time to change course. All the stakeholders- political, apolitical, religious, civil society, the trade unions, etc, should be involved. It should not matter what the organisation is, once the organisation has supporters or members they should be part of a national plan.

To have society accept that people will die when this does not have to be so, is to release the government of responsibility when the government has to take lead responsibility in the fight. Another concern is that the Minister’s revelation will put people into a false sense of resignation that the virus is beyond their control and no matter what they do some will die. Both approaches are counterproductive, and allow for the spread of infection and possibility of increasing death.

Guyana can and must do better in the fight against COVID-19. Those that are dying should not be dying if there is strict adherence to the guidelines. The government must do better in instilling confidence in the people to fight. They need to begin working with stakeholders and make combatting the virus a national and cooperative effort. A wise government sees sense in this approach.