Dear Editor,
I was disheartened after reading the following statement from President Ali, on January 6, 2022, regarding the closure of schools given the critical surge of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Guyana. The President remarked, “In terms of school we have seen all the cases so far and most countries, almost all the countries are saying we cannot close the schools. We cannot close the education system. They are keeping the schools open.” Surely the President understands that access to information is very easy for almost all Guyanese. Similarly, he knows how to manipulate words for the purpose of influencing public persuasion and actions. While many schools are remaining open, many have reduced in-person teaching for varying periods of time. Some for 21 days, 90 days and so forth. In Europe, some Governments are advising schools to remain closed and continue with online learning.
When making such general statements that literally could result in the death, impairment and long-term care needs of children, teachers and relatives, the President should be cautioned to provide the data and to be precise. Schools remaining open does and should not mean the full measure of in-person teaching. I want to ask the President and other Cabinet members – where their children attend school? Are they in private, or public school, and are they attending school fulltime in-person, online or a blended approach? Why ask and expect us Guyanese to do things that many Cabinet members would not even consider regarding their own children. Finally, could President Ali state what measures including financial support have been provided to schools and teachers to: (i) support random and mandatory COVID-19 testing of teachers, administrators and students, (ii) effective sanitation measures, adherence to social distancing guidelines in schools, (iii) the protection of children using public transportation and taxis to attend school and (iv) safeguarding the exposure of children from food vendors, who often ply their trade inside and outside the school compound? Addressing, scaling up and implementing these and similar concerns would go a long way in strengthening the confidence of parents, teachers and school administrators.
In the USA, President Biden made a similar call for schools to remain open. Part of his remarks said, “We have no reason to think at this point that Omicron is worse for children than previous variants. We know that our kids can be safe when in school by the way. That’s why I believe schools should remain open. They have what they need.” He also said that $130 billion from the coronavirus relief law passed in March 2021 went toward reopening schools and an additional $10 billion was allotted for COVID-19 testing in schools.” Given that the current Government of Guyana is being guided by, and mirroring some policy responses emanating from the USA, Cabinet should also consider financing mitigation measures for schools in a similar fashion in light of the current surge.
In closing, the Government through the Minister of Health, is on record as promoting herd immunity through infections and vaccines. The theory goes that we can better develop stronger immune responses to Covid-19 through more infections and vaccines. The public should be aware that this policy is an underlying factor of the emphasis on keeping in-person schooling open at current rates. I would like to caution the Government by way of two statements made by the Israeli Senior Health Advisor, “The price of herd immunity is very infectious, and that may end up happening. The numbers need to be high to reach herd immunity, it’s possible…But we don’t want to reach it through infections, we want it to happen as a result of many people vaccinating…”
Sincerely,
C. Singh
