SINCE the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic in the Caribbean region, a group of young professionals was formed to conduct surveys and studies, to assist in formulating emergency plans.

This group, named ‘Caribbean Data Fam’ comprises of a large number of Caribbean youths, including one from Guyana, and a few Cuban doctors.
This group was formed by way of an online platform, ‘Slack’, by a young Trinidadian who connected with several other like-minded young people enthusiastic about coming up with solutions for the pandemic.

Chelsea Pearson, Guyana’s representative, is a 20-year-old University of Guyana student studying Government and International Relations.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Pearson said that she has sound interest in following global trends and helping to come up with solutions.

“And I really think Guyanese should take this seriously and consider a lockdown, looking at the trends of other countries and the capacity of our health care system,” she said.
Referencing the international countries who were vastly affected.

“Look at Italy, they took too long to act, now they are suffering. Look at Spain and Europe and the rest of the world. Why would Guyana be spared and we’re making the same mistakes? The figures speak for itself, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. No one wishes death in their family,” Pearson said.

Based on her research and surveys, the young woman listed a plethora of recommended actions to be taken in Guyana.

Firstly, she said that a website should be created, possibly named “GuyanaCovid-19.com” that will seek to enable the populace to have access to information on the disease which will include global figures as it relates to deaths and confirmed cases and precautionary measures.

“A special section on the site will enable eligible persons to apply for food stamps, and medical supplies. Every citizen should have registered to this website with their ID’s or name and date of birth. The military should be used to help distribute supplies to households, especially those in the Hinterland Communities. Farmers should be given cash grants to ensure that the production of food is not suspended for this period of time. Make available, one private hospital to treat uninfected patients. Provide Tax cuts to the said hospital so that health care can continue to be free. We should have heavy police presence in each district to ensure full lockdown, and anyone found to be on the streets without a legitimate excuse should be subjected to pay a fine no less than $120,000. If they are found on the streets for a second occasion, without any good excuse, they will be subjected to pay a fine of $170,000,” Pearson said in her list of recommendations.

Additionally, she believes that all essential companies such as GT&T, Guyana Power and Light and Guyana Water Inc. should be given tax breaks for the period in order to assist them with facilitating deferrals of payment dates to at least three months. And citizens who have to pay rent will receive grants with the use of the website she recommended be created.

How can the Government of Guyana deal with the spread of this COVID-19?
The young research student said that government has a key role to play in the effectiveness of Guyana’s response.

The government, she said should identify the epicenter of this virus, which has so far been named as Demerara- Mahaica (Region Four), and impose a stricter lockdown system.
“Medical supplies, such as ventilators, testing kits and protective gear should be given in every region. Border security should be on high alert with testing equipment on site. They should get data on where the people are of high risk, and find out what is the best thing to be done for those in that area,” Pearson suggested.

Underscoring the reported effects that COVID-19 has on the global markets, Pearson quoted the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, who said, “No country will be able to fight this pandemic without global and regional cooperation. At the end of the day, what we really need to consider is what will happen to multilateralism. There must be more integration. Without a doubt, we must move towards greater coordination, and the policy priority must be how to address the current social and health crisis.”

Given the sentiments of Bárcena, Pearson said that an example can be seen in the oil markets.

“There is no longer a large demand for oil since companies are no longer producing items that are necessary. The world is already in a rescission. We as Guyanese can overcome this period and rebuild if action is taken early. We need to rethink everything, the entire economy. We need a new vision to focus ourselves on how to cope with the extremely difficult scenario that lies before us,” she emphasized.

What can Guyana do to protect its markets?
In relation to protecting Guyana’s markets, the young woman reiterated that farmers should be given cash grants so they would be able to produce more food, which will be sufficient for our citizens and for export.

Additionally, she said encouraging small companies, those who make teas, creams, soaps and other items to continue their production at home would be a great idea as well.
“We can build our economy, encourage kitchen farms, food is essential and we supply large quantities to export to the countries in need. Items can also be sold to locals who can afford it. Those who are unemployed can play a vital role in providing information, to the task force, working delivering goods, medication etc. as dispatchers for various districts. At least three task force vehicles should be in each district at any given time. Each truck should contain more than two workers, all of whom will be in a quarantine location, and will be responsible for the distribution of needed items paid for or for free; for sanitation; and for any unrelated covid-19 issue that needs medical attention,” Pearson proposed.
Recommending too, that the David G busses and boats should be used to carry medical workers; they should be sanitized before and after every drop.

These are but a few of her recommendations birthed from her research material, but the young woman noted that the group is in its developing stage and all of its findings and proposed solutions will be made public in due time.

However, in the interim, Pearson believes that Guyana should not wait for the situation to escalate, but rather, act now and implement a strict emergency plan before more lives are lost.