Dear Editor,
The world changed when SARS-COV-2/COVID 19 became a force to reckon with. The experimental virus started to spread like wildfire, infecting everyone and killing the vulnerable. The world soon geared up to fight this menace, preventative methods like mask-wearing, hand and respiratory hygiene and social distancing became a mandated norm. Also, the scientist from various countries joined the race to create a vaccine that would curb the spread and decrease morbidity and mortality. However, these vaccines only achieved fifty percent of the task, it only decreases morbidity and mortalities. Within the space of a year, multiple brands of COVID 19 vaccines arrived on the market; some made from brand new technology being m-RNA and some made from the conventional technology being live-attenuated. Most of these branded vaccines would have received approval from the FDA and WHO but these approvals were done under the Emergency Use Authorization clause (section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act). At present, the race for herd immunity is on. Herd immunity may be defined as the “resistance to the spread of an infectious disease within a population that is based on pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals as a result of previous infection or vaccination” (Oxford Dictionary). With the percentage of vaccinated (26.6% – Reuters) plus the total number of positive cases to date 22,992 (3.1% of the total population), we reckon that Guyana is on its way in the race toward herd Immunity at 29.7%. However, herd immunity for COVID 19 has proven to be a challenge. The vaccines as mentioned before have been working at fifty percent (50%). The spread of the virus is still ongoing, as we see spikes of cases (more so the Delta variant) in the UK, Europe, and Israel, some of the front runners for Herd Immunity via Vaccination.
The facts are that the vaccinated and the unvaccinated can be infected by COVID-19 and both categories have the potential to spread the virus; hence the United Republican Party (URP) stands with those calling for freedom of choice. We believe in respecting the autonomy of our citizens so we are asking the government to not divide the population any further. The virus is still spreading, therefore ridiculous reasons like “protect the vaccinated” are unacceptable for these mandatory vaccine measures. Additionally, we are calling on all Guyanese, vaccinated or unvaccinated to continue to wear their mask, practice social distancing and practice hand and respiratory hygiene. The vaccinated should not get ahead of themselves since spreading is still possible. Mutations/Variants come about as a result of spreading and there is an unfortunate potential for a mutation to occur against the antibodies induced by the vaccine. At this time the URP calls for the government to have constructive discussions with various bodies that might have issues with taking the vaccines. It is and will remain the position of the URP that every person has freedom of choice, that forcing individuals to take the vaccines against their will would not be tolerated. Those who wish to be vaccinated have made their choice and those who wish not to should reserve that right. Freedom of choice must be preserved and respected by all.
Sincerely,
Dr. Vishnu Bandhu
Leader of The United Republican
Party
