Dear Editor,
Seeing photographs of two presidents and their spouses ostensibly without masks prompted my letter of December 01, 2020 essentially saying that leaders should lead by example. In one of the dailies (December 02) are two photographs: one of the Finance Minister and Head of the Project Cycle Management Division without masks, and the other of eight Guyana Olympic Association individuals all, except one (two improperly), without masks (ironically giving out sanitizers).
Something is seriously wrong in society. Despite the daily geometrical huge increase in the spread of Covid-19 and death worldwide, many individuals disregard basic commonsense strategies to curtail catching the virus. They go about doing things as though all is good and dandy. Well, all is not good and dandy. This is a different time that calls for serious approaches in safeguarding ourselves, our families, and all those around us. I am tempted to be caustic in my admonishment, but defer and hope that good judgement prevail – without exception.
Here are some simple and doable things:
1. Keep indoors. Go out only if really necessary – for work, grocery, medicines.
2. Keep away from gatherings or crowds, e.g., places of worship, meetings, gym, cinema, etc.
3. Keep your distance – at least 6 feet. No hugs; no kisses; no handshakes.
4. When going out wear a mask or face covering – the mouth and nose.
5 Try not to touch surfaces with your bare hands, including countertops of banks and offices, rails, gas pump, etc. If you do, sanitize immediately.
6. Insist that visitors to your home or office wear a mask. You do the same.
7. Sanitize hands often. (I use 70% alcohol in spray bottles.)
8. Do not place hands and fingers on face, mouth, nostrils, eyes, ears.
9. If you have an office, sterilize/sanitize desk, chairs, door handles/knobs every time anyone leaves he office.
10. Wash hands with soap and water after any suspect contact (at least for 20 seconds).
Yours faithfully,
Gary Girdhari PhD
