The holiday season is here. There is a general perception that all, save a few, Guyanese celebrate Christmas. Some celebrate it in its true religious context, recognising it as the season of the birth of the Christian Messiah. Some see it as a season when shopping becomes a focus because prices are competitive, and goods are in greater abundance. People take the opportunity to refurbish their homes at this time. It is the time of year when family and friends get together, eat, drink and be merry and basically where each household incurs additional expenditure. The economy also gets a boost from spending.
Workers are usually accustomed to bonus pay that helps to boost the economy, so businesses look forward to the spike in sales and stock up with this in mind. For many, Christmas 2020 however means hardship upon hardship. There are higher levels of unemployment which would be impacting the spending power of those Guyanese who are unable to otherwise earn an income or subsidise their income through blessings from overseas or otherwise. The impact of the global pandemic COVID-19 will no doubt also have its effect as many have suffered reduced income and job losses as a consequence.
The one-off payment of $25,000.00 given by the government, though welcome by households, is far from adequate to satisfy basic needs, particularly those households with multiple family units. Government will need to revisit the quantity of the money as well as the distribution method. Not only are many not beneficiaries to the every household distribution, but large households and those who are really in need received the same amount as others, for whom such need is virtually non-existent.
Any relief package issued by the government cannot be an one-off payment given the degree of hardship that the average Guyanese is faced with. It is a situation such as these where governments need to hold broader discussions on how best to alleviate the hardship that families are facing. In the absence of such considerations it is left for the average citizen to determine how to manage their scarce resources given the current crisis they face.
Guyanese will have to forego customary pleasures of the holiday spending; spending only on absolute essentials. Since Christmas is a time of giving and sharing, the spirit of peace and goodwill to all, what better time for those who can afford to share with fellow Guyanese who are underprivileged and desperate. People will also have to make choices, whether it is rent, clothes or food.
Whatever choices are made the spirit of goodwill must not just be for the people at the bottom to share and to care but for the government to honour its responsibilities of safeguarding every household, every family unit, every individual financial security. This is a time when the government has to be at its most benevolent and this should not only be to businesses but to the ordinary man and woman, every family unit.
