The Vice-Chairman of the National Toshaos Council as well as residents of regions One and Two, have voiced concern about the persons in the two regions who are ignoring the nationwide curfew.
In a telephone interview, the Vice Chairman of the National Toshaos Council Paul Pierre told Stabroek News that residents in Kwebanna Village, Moruca Sub-district (Barima-Waini), where he is the Toshao, were told to adhere to the curfew but he has received some calls about persons who are not doing so. “Most of the communities are on lockdown and ensure that they do proper sanitising of themselves,” Pierre said.
He then explained that he received some calls about some communities that still have persons meeting up and drinking at shops because the shops aren’t closed and he emphasised that persons need to do more in terms of keeping themselves and their neighbours safe. Pierre acknowledged that sometimes “they [law enforcement] are not equip[ped] and that’s where the persons in the community come into play, to help.”
Pierre also disclosed that constant sanitising is difficult due to the limited supply they have at their disposal. “[Proper sanitising] that a problem, we are not getting stuff like that.” He explained that the council hasn’t met in quite some time, resulting in decisions not being made, or even considered, that will be beneficial for the community and village residents.
Meanwhile, in Mabaruma, 52-year-old Walter John said that social distancing is seeming to be a challenge for residents. “Ninety to ninety five per cent [of the persons] complying but they still got delinquents,” he said as he spoke about the lack of social distancing being observed in Mabaruma. “Social distancing in the markets and on the streets, is not happening,” John lamented.
He also said that persons are not taking the warnings seriously and cited “lack of education” as the reason. “I think it is the lack of education, they don’t see how serious it is…they don’t know the seriousness of this pandemic,” John explained, adding that given that the persons in the area are not “rich” and many persons survive on a “day-to-day” lifestyle, they need to take precautions when going out to do their business.
He said that he wears a mask and carries sanitisers with him when he leaves his home, however, he said not everybody is taking the same steps. He also noted that the police should not have to ask persons to comply with observing social distancing but rather, persons should understand how important it is to keep a safe distance away from other, for their own safety. The man also said that there has been no aid as it relates to getting sanitising and disinfecting materials as well as essential food items to persons in the area.
Region Two
Another toshao who spoke with Stabroek News is Silvan Raphael, of Mashaba village, on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). Rapheal said that as a means to ensure that persons do not bring the disease to the village, they have erected signboards in the village declaring “visitors are not allowed.” He added that persons have to report to the village council when they have to leave. The toshao assured that persons in the village are doing whatever they can to keep themselves safe. He also said that because many persons are involved in farming, they are able to produce food, so much interaction is not needed.
A taxi-driver from the island of Leguan told Stabroek News that persons have put their safety first and personal needs second. Munishma Persaud, 52, said that so far, persons have been staying indoors and abiding by the curfew. He even said that among taxi-drivers, they have started a habit of leaving when they see two or more taxi drivers are working. He also said that persons are not being seen in the streets.
Persaud said that overall, Leguan takes the disease very seriously and is doing its best to avoid further spread.
