Dear Editor,
AT this juncture, I wish to inform the Guyanese populace, citizens of the world, and the leaders of Guyana and the rest of the world that COVID-19 appears to be here to stay. And, sadly, it is going to be with us for a very long time!

Like many other diseases such as the new, more potent, enhanced Ebola, I believe that COVID-19 was developed by man’s hands to experiment with people who are less fortunate. In the same way, I believe that it was not a creation of God, but a man-made instrument of death to serve the intent of a few. Subsequently, when these few people decide to release an antidote or vaccine, the cost to the world’s countries, particularly the poor, would be immense. The point of this advisory is, therefore, that civilisation needs to adjust in order to survive in the future. We can no longer shut down airports; we can no longer stop commerce; we can no longer stop manufacturing; we can no longer shut down hospitals and any form of human endeavour and enjoyment, such as sports and cinema. We cannot shut down schools indefinitely. The world cannot lay down and play dead, the airline industry, etc. cannot just be left to fragment and rot away. The world must be reopened for general trade and industry — life must go on – albeit, COVID-19 protocols are adhered to.

The sad part about this pandemic is the fact that it is a known reality that the world of people is essentially rebellious; they do not want to obey rules that may inconvenience them, even if these rules may be beneficial for them. The COVID-19 protocols developed by various scientists, doctors, and scholars have a purpose and must therefore be complied with. Likewise, serious penalties should be enacted for non-compliance. The discipline of sanitisation, wearing your masks (and wearing them correctly) as well as adhering to social distancing would all help, just as different kinds of medications and vaccines will help to prevent people from contracting this awful and deadly disease.

My theory has always been to first develop your immunity with natural remedies: vegetables, fruit, fruit skins, and so on. The main ingredient of life is “immunity.” And, immunity does not arise from the excessive consumption of meat or its by-products, but from vegetables, particularly dark, leafy vegetables. Citrus products such as lemons, limes, oranges, lemongrass/fever grass, green mangoes, green and ripe tamarind — all of which can be eaten individually or made into a concoction. Many do not know that the skins of the green and ripe mangoes are consumable as are the skins of other fruits and seeds, e.g. guinep seeds — which builds immunity. When the skin is consumed, it helps to beautify one’s own skin. Citrus skins along with mango skins, some soursop leaves, young mango leaves, and a few bits of moringa or sijan leaves, lime, lemon, or orange leaves are all COVID-19 busters which are better than any medication or vaccine. Not that I have anything against medications or vaccines, but I am very wary of some of the vaccines that have been made to make money.

As a humanist and a religionist, I am concerned about human civilisation. It hurts my heart to think that if man is not cautious, in future we might end up in utter turmoil and destruction of our civilisation. Our norms and mores may be lost, and then we will fall further into barbarism, where power and strength will allow the powerful to subdue the weak — to use them and to take their properties; all kinds of evil could predominate. We may have warlords; gang wars, as civilisation descend into destruction. Do not get me wrong, I do not want this, and maybe it will never get there, but I have done enough reading and I have been reflecting on history where humanity — through its own carelessness — has created unimaginable human devastation. For example, the United States of America launched a nuclear bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945. The First and Second World Wars brought about by Germany in an attempt to conquer and enslave the world, and the list goes on.
Unfortunately, in Guyana and several other countries around the world, the pandemic triggered not only an economic backlash, but also a severe rise in criminal activities. Praedial larceny (theft of fruit, vegetables, poultry, etc.) from neighbours is becoming rampant; some of this is due to the utter laziness of some people who want to reap what they have not sown. Recently, we have seen some serious increase in crimes committed by youths on passersby, pensioners, men and women going to work, and children riding their bicycles, to say the least. It is as if Guyana were falling into utter criminal madness. This, I suppose, is an article of its own for another issue of your newspaper.

It is my view that if this pandemic disappears, it will be as a result of hard work, sacrifice, experimentation, and lifestyle modifications. We have seen economies destroyed by COVID-19; smaller nations and their economies are hanging by a thread, or what we in Guyanese parlance would say, “Hanging by the skin of your teeth.” Major economies have provided financial assistance to their peoples to benefit them. Despite our substandard economy, I am proud that we have seen aid rendered to disadvantaged communities with the distribution of large hampers. I am even more proud that His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali has declared an allowance of ($25,000) twenty-five thousand dollars to be given to each family. While some have claimed that this is not enough, and while this may be true, it is noteworthy to point out that the government made this gesture as soon as they got into office, which I think is quite admirable. I am going to put my neck on the block and say that I know once the government has settled in and the country is economically stable again, they will provide more resources to assist families.
However, at this juncture, humanity must face the reality that COVID-19 is here to stay and adjust to this new way of life. With stricter precautions, trust in Almighty God, and consistent prayers, we will resolve this. I reiterate, humanity must adjust and learn to live with COVID-19. We must realise that our new normal is this!

Sincerely,
Hajji Dr Roshan Khan Snr