Dear Editor,
Three weeks ago a very cautious yet professional nurse attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), decided – at the triage stage – not to send me for one of the much–heralded COVID vaccines. I was disappointed then later learnt that she was just a bit unnecessarily “careful.”
Never-the-less she remains one of the front-line health-care professionals that I herein congratulate for their vital roles in battling Guyana’s challenges created by the world-wide pandemic.
Within a context of precautionary curfews, restrictions, even lock-downs, Guyana’s national, government-driven programme to combat COVID-19 is being implemented by a small army of doctors, medics, nurses, vaccinators and yes, the police and defence forces.
I note the criticisms of the Health Ministry’s strategies as it executes its programme to test, vaccinate and treat all Guyanese including some who unfortunately might have fallen victim to COVID and are hospitalised. A few criticisms regarding calls for more stringent regulations for public restraint could be well-intentioned and even worthy of implementation. However I’d prefer to see the letter-writing critics and the political opposition offer continuous encouragement to the Ministry’s workers as well as offer urgent, practical specific proposals for improved treatment. Should not face-masks be freely available for the needy?
Education and public awareness must be on-going as both the ministry and other organisations combine to inform the populace using simple effective communication.
There are issues related to the descriptions and effectiveness of the various vaccines Guyana is now using; best behaviours in between first and second shots; what vaccines actually do and what should be the best practices to complement vaccinations. Explain that the vaccines are not end-all cures but vital to boost immune systems to arrest or prevent the virus from taking hold of our vulnerable systems. Who knows? One American source feels that we might have to take a COVID vaccine every year.
By the way I received my first shot recently and, naturally, hereby encourage all eligible to do so now. Our own choices and behaviours should not have to depend on governmental or law-enforcement. We are too few to endanger too many.
Thank you front-line medical forces.
Yours faithfully,
Allan Arthur Fenty