THERE has been an overwhelming response to the ongoing process of vaccinating adolescents against COVID-19. This is extremely heartening, especially when the hesitancy against the vaccine pushed by some adults is taken into consideration. All of the images thus far demonstrate a willingness by parents and their children to be immunised.

This is critical to the efforts of reopening schools in a manner to cater for this new norm within a COVID-19 environment to ensure that children are safe. It is yet another demonstration of the priority the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-led government continues to place on combating the impact of this deadly pandemic.

This deliberate and strategic effort was evident since the party came into government in August of 2020 and within a very short period of time, testing was ramped up and decentralised, relevant equipment and training provided and vaccines were made available. The latter was a significant achievement, especially since many countries are still grappling to provide vaccines to citizens.

To date, a fairly large amount of adult Guyanese have been vaccinated, at least with the first dose. Given the response by adolescents and if the current pattern were to continue, there is a strong possibility that the targeted numbers would be achieved within the expected timeframe. That aids confidence in the mindsets of both parents and students with respect to the safe re-opening of schools on September 06.

Anyone can attest to desired peace in mindset regardless of the situation and when that becomes compromised, the related anxiety is understandable. In this case, some have found ways to try and derail the process of protecting people against COVID-19. This, is spite of the devastating impact the pandemic has on people and countries.

Every day, thousands of COVID-19-related deaths are recorded across the world. Here in Guyana, related deaths, on a much smaller scale, are registered and new cases noted. With a small society, it is almost certain that everyone knows someone who is/was affected by COVID-19 or died from it. They would therefore be aware of the struggles and emotional pain faced by those infected.

That brings an interesting perspective on those being discouraged against taking the vaccines, for it questions their decisions aside from those based on irrefutable medical reasons. There is no ambiguity as to who is integral in fomenting doubts and spreading misinformation over the vaccines and related hesitancy here. The relationship between those who addressed recent protests in Linden and those who reportedly filed court action to have entry requirements deemed unconstitutional, speaks volumes.

From what has transpired, it appears more a political intent rather than an apprehension premised on scientific data. That, in any society, is dangerous since the lives of people are deliberately being put at risk with seemingly little or no concern. A prominent member of the Region 10 political and administrative structure died some weeks ago from COVID-19-related illness, while a former legislator of the affiliated party is in the COVID-19 ICU.

One would expect that with such tragedy so close to home, lessons would be taught and mindsets influenced away from the hesitancy being peddled. The opposite is actually occurring, forcing one to question whether the sufferings of associates are mere collateral. That will be unforgivable, not the least unacceptable as those who are deliberately misleading people for political purposes.

In this circumstance, the question of what would have been the scenario had those people been in government and were responsible for the COVID-19 vaccination is unavoidable. While the question of whether they would have been prudent in managing the process lingers, there is reasonable expectation that they would have been clamouring for vaccination.

Simply put, those with responsibility are expected to act responsibly, regardless of which public office they hold. That responsibility cannot be convenient nor conditional; more importantly, it cannot be one that is used to jeopardise the welfare of any citizen. That said, the example being shown by the adolescents is not only inspirational, but pregnant with many pertinent lessons. If only they are heeded.