Former parliamentarian and PNCR executive Mervyn Williams is a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal.
As he appealed for persons to take the COVID-19 vaccines and for government to boost awareness efforts, PNCR executive Joseph Harmon yesterday told Stabroek News that the party is monitoring the status of Williams.
Harmon said last evening that he only knew that Williams was still hospitalised and that he expected a further update on his status later on.
One of Williams’ friends and party colleagues told this newspaper that “to the best of my knowledge he isn’t vaccinated” and said that Williams would “be the person to take your questions up on why he did not take it.”
General Secretary of the PNCR Amna Ally said she learned of Williams’ hospitalization only yesterday as she is currently in the United States. She said that she would still be calling to get an update on how he is doing. She said that Harmon or APNU+AFC Parliamentary Chief Whip Christopher Jones would be the two best persons to talk on Williams’ hospitalization as other well-known party leaders are also not in the country.
Harmon, who was vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine, yesterday urged government to invest more in awareness campaigns to win over persons who are vaccine hesitant, even as he pleaded with the public to get vaccinated.
“I urge all Guyanese to take the vaccine. And while we are getting vaccinated, the attitudes also need to change because vaccination also will not help. The vaccine is not the end all to this. We have to continue following the guidelines and such,” he said.
“At the same time, I am urging the government to invest more in awareness campaigns. This is a pandemic and all resources need to go into educating the people. When we want to win an election, we put money in a campaign; you do announcements, jingles, advertisements… the same energy should be put into this. People have questions and these things can help,” he added.
Harmon pointed out that at the time of the call he was at the Demerara Harbour Bridge waiting to cross and was shocked when he observed his surroundings where “hardly anyone has a mask on and the buses are packed.”
Harmon said that government has his support and voice for any awareness programme that would help bring an end to the virus that has killed hundreds of Guyanese and infected thousands of others.
“People have questions and we can help. I have been doing my part and will continue to do so. I have been urging persons to get vaccinated, wear their masks. At the same time, I do not feel that putting vaccination as mandatory would help the process. We have to persuade the people and campaigning will help. I have done two public service announcements on why we should take vaccines. We have to continue,” he said.
