Twice now my messages to friends have been left unread because they succumbed to COVID-19.
At the start of this pandemic, we stood on the periphery. It was thousands of miles away in China and the threat that it posed globally was perhaps underestimated. But even as it drew closer and we looked at the alarming number of infections and deaths emerging from countries like the United States, it was not us, but them; it was not our relatives or friends, but strangers.
More than a year after Guyana had its first case, we are all at risk as there have been over 10,000 confirmed cases and over 250 deaths.
I saw a message from the Ministry of Health indicating that Guyana is experiencing a surge of the virus that is affecting healthy young adults, and with deadlier results. A large section of our population seems to be leaving the warnings and messages unread. We continue to function like we are still under the old world order. Last year when there were fewer cases and fewer deaths, we seemed to have been more cautious. With the 6pm to 6am curfew, the streets were quiet at night. Many of us seldom left our homes and when we did, we were sure to follow the measures, such as wearing masks, sanitizing and social distancing. For a while it seemed that we would flatten the curve and return to some semblance of norm sooner rather than later.
Now that there are new variants of the virus, more infections and deaths, there is no lockdown but a 10.30pm to 4am curfew. I hear vehicles passing in the street throughout the night. Occasionally music plays long past the curfew as folks gather to celebrate some occasion. Recently reports have emerged that people found breaking the curfew are being penalized. The seawall and National Park were closed on Easter to avoid large crowds gathering. Suddenly within the last few weeks it seems like the COVID task force is employing more stringent measures. But are these interventions too late?
Daily, we are hearing of deaths, especially among the older population. The lives of our elders matter too. While the young and restless ones continue to be reckless, the older vulnerable population are dying alone. With the new deadly surge said to be affecting the young and healthy, more young people may die.
Many believe a lockdown will help to curb new infections. A few weeks of lockdown to possibly save thousands from becoming infected or dying is a worthy sacrifice. But here, where often it is business before the wellbeing of the people — money over life and health — there is no lockdown.
Understandably, some ordinary citizens would not want a lockdown. Many of them make their money on the streets and no one will help those people to take care of themselves and their families. Some people also want the freedom to socialize, even if it means physical distancing. With bars open and dining allowed at restaurants, the glimpses of the old order are moments of joys we find in these trying times. I know people in other countries who have been in lockdown for months, and it is evident that it has affected their mental health. We were not born to be confined to our homes. Social interaction is necessary for our holistic health. We are at risk if we stay indoors and at risk if we go outdoors because both our mental and physical health can be affected. This is no way to live or die.
Since the start of this pandemic, I have often wondered about its origin. Some still believe that humans consumed bat soup and that is what started this. Some believe the virus was created in a lab. Could it be that COVID is another way Mother Nature is rebelling against mankind? We have abused the Earth with our overindulgences. Mother Nature has been sending us messages, but we have largely ignored and left them unread. Natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes in new places have not humbled the majority. Despite global warming, floods, fires, and new diseases, the majority continue to leave those messages unread, making little adjustments to their lifestyle. Has man been good for this planet?
News about the numbers rising every day here is troubling. There were six deaths in one day last week. Having two dead friends because of COVID is enough. Knowing others who have died from COVID is unsettling. Assessing my own risk and wondering what a year from now would look like is unnerving. I do not want to send another message to a friend that is never read. I do not want to be the one to never see a message a loved one has sent. Sometimes I comfort myself by thinking perhaps this all just a lucid dream.
Some believe that once the majority has been vaccinated that this will be over and like magic the world will return to the way we were. We often deceive ourselves. This will not be over for a long time. We will never return to the way we were. For even when the cases decrease and the unread messages become less, the damage that has already been done to families, relationships, and our mental health will last for decades. When we are finally told we can leave our homes without a mask and can gather without fear it will seem strange and will likely take some adjusting to.
I look at Brazil and the numbers are frightening. The mass graves being dug for the thousands who are dying daily is terrifying. Some might look at our population and say 250 deaths out of 10,000 plus cases is nothing to be alarmed about, but our population is estimated to be about 750,000. Brazil has lost over 340,000 people. With new variants being discovered, we are under threat and clearly, we are not prepared. Can you imagine us losing thousands of citizens to COVID? Do we want to grapple with a situation of having to dig mass graves? We must act now before it is too late.
