After going to extreme measures to coerce vaccination, the Guyana government recently lifted Covid-19 restrictions, and citizens wasted no time in flaunting all the prevention guidelines.
Not so long ago, the Guyana Government resorted to extreme measures to force vaccines on Guyanese, in an effort, it claimed, to stop the spread of Covid-19 by achieving herd immunity. The government went as far as stripping citizens of their civil rights and liberties – citizens could not have entered banks or public offices if they were not vaccinated – unless they presented a negative PCR test result. Guyana was unique in the sense that such a drastic and absurd measure of restricting citizens from banks unless they provided a vaccine passport or negative Covid test is unheard of in any part of the world, except Guyana.
Well it seems that government policies have drifted from one extreme to the other. The government recently lifted all Covid restrictions, but encouraged citizens to continue wearing masks and follow Covid-19 prevention guidelines. It was a welcomed gesture, and citizens breathed a sigh of relief.
But while countries seem to be doing away with Covid restrictions one by one, and for good reason, Covid certainly isn’t finished with humankind – not by a long shot. Yesterday, neighboring Brazil recorded over 50,000 new cases and 322 deaths, the USA: over 36,000 new cases and 1043 deaths, and the United Kingdom, over 92,000 new cases and 125 deaths.
Yesterday, 18th of March, 2022, thousands of Guyanese crowded at various locations across Guyana for Phagwah celebrations – most of them without a mask on – rubbing shoulders with each other. This type of conglomeration tends to result in the rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus from person to person – many of whom may be asymptomatic but will continue to spread the virus to those who are susceptible. Ironically, many of these activities across the country of Guyana were attended by government ministers, and the President himself was present at one of them.
It should be noted that, despite draconian measures implemented earlier to coerce citizens to get vaccinated, less than 50% of the Guyanese population have been fully vaccinated so far. Further, the vaccine only “lowers the risk of getting sick and dying” from Covid, but it doesn’t stop the vaccinated person from contracting and spreading the virus.
While we don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, we must admit that these reckless and inconsiderate behaviors, such as what was witnessed yesterday, 18th of March, can easily serve as a catalyst for Covid – 19, and the virus is likely to spread more rapidly in the coming weeks. Guyanese need to demonstrate greater consideration for the dangerous times we are living in, and the government needs to take steps to discourage these kinds of behaviors.
In early 2019, the famous Brazilian carnival had served as a catalyst for Covid-19 in Brazil – a country which became the epicenter of the virus in South America.
