On Tuesday March 31, 2020, the PPP/C-led National COVID-19 Stakeholders’ Response Forum says it launched two campaigns – `stay at home/self-isolation’ and `everyone wear a mask’ and expects production of 27,000 cloth masks shortly.
A release from the forum yesterday said that a Facebook account was launched on March 29th, 2020 Doctorsonline24hours on COVID-19 which continues to attract hundreds of people seeking advice.
The forum thanked Ram and McRae for their offer to manage its donations and accounts. It said that those persons/companies who are willing to donate to the “wear a mask campaign” and to acquire much needed Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for health practitioners could send donations to:-
Name of bank: Republic Bank
Account name: Ram & McRae – client account
Account Number: 96235654299
It said that persons making deposits should retain a receipt and send it by WhatsApp or email it to chrisram@ramandmcrae.com as soon as possible after the deposit is made.
The forum said that it also purchased, and, received some donations, of 100% cotton fabric, that has been distributed to community sewing initiatives in Regions # 1, 2, 4 and Georgetown, 5, 7 (part of), Region 8 (part of), 9 and 10.
The forum said that there were difficulties in reaching some interior areas due to the cessation of scheduled flights, speed boat and ferry services such as in Regions # 1, 2 and 9.
Despite these logistical problems, the forum said it has been able to overcome them even though it slowed down materials getting into these areas as fast as it would have liked.
Individuals and communities in Region 3, under PPP/C presidential candidate Irfaan Ali’s initiative, have been mobilized and have produced several thousand masks already. The release said that Ali started distribution of 2,500 over the weekend to the Vreed-en-Hoop market and car park, and Canals polder, and Tiger Bay.
Region 6 is coming on board by today. The balance of the materials for Region 7 and 8 are also being sent in. It said that by these efforts alone about 27, 000 masks will be sewn in a week’s time.
The forum thanked the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Muslim Youth Organization and the RC Church which are also contributing using their broad networks to also sew masks.
The forum said that it has also purchased some 200 N95 masks for health workers and will send these to outlying hospitals which have been working with very limited supplies.
The forum added that it will shortly launch its social, economic and financial measures which it believes will bring relief to people.
“In the days and weeks ahead, we will be further challenged as the virus spreads. Last week and this coming week are critical to heighten the protection of as many people as possible and reduce the transmission in the future and help to protect our health workers”, the forum added.
