WHAT Dr. Karen Cummings and Dr. Van West Charles said on Thursday is a sign that the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change Coalition (APNU+AFC) are playing a silly game of politics with the health of our nation.

These doctors should be ashamed of themselves for playing puerile and sinister politics with the government-led COVID Vaccination Campaign and the management of this pandemic.

One must look at the arguments made by Dr. Cummings that alleged that the PPP government does not have an inclusive approach to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, she blamed the government for the growing numbers of deaths, hospitalisations and infections. Dr. Cummings said that the abandonment of the APNU+AFC Coalition plan, coupled with the lack of a bipartisan approach, was the reason for pointing fingers at the government. The politician said the PNC still needs answers surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic here.

And as expected, Dr. Charles expressed concern about the high levels of vaccine hesitancy, Delta variant, lack of adequate curfew enforcement, and hospital facilities.

Firstly, one would expect the learned doctors to give a more precise plan for fighting this disease if the Coalition is concerned at the alarming levels of deaths. Telling the country that the government is mismanaging the pandemic but not giving examples is foolish and not scholastic. Where is the loophole in the PPP/C’s government strategy? How should the COVID variant be stopped if the government is not doing enough? How do you know this plan is not still in use? What strategy is in it for fighting the spread of COVID that the government is not trying? What type of bipartisan approach is Dr. Cummings rallying for?

These questions come to mind. Why did the media not ask them more questions along this line for clarity and information?

Well, simply put, this press conference was a poor attempt at politicking. It was disingenuous because the opposition press conference said nothing and offered no counterplan for fighting the pandemic.

Secondly, any school-aged girl could get the answer to the long list of questions posed by Cummings and Charles. Research them because the data is available. As well, Parliament is there. If she wants to pose new questions, then Minister Anthony will furnish her with a speedy reply. So, Dr. Cummings and the PNC must tell us really what they were trying to do or say. Were they hoping to turn the media attention from President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s success abroad at the UN?

Thirdly, Dr. Charles should be ashamed to blame the government for the increase in vaccine hesitancy. It became so high due to spurious commentary of the APNU+AFC coalition.
Maybe, Dr. Charles might find answers by asking these pertinent questions of his colleagues. What have they done to cause a reduction in vaccine hesitancy throughout the country? Have they been double speaking on vaccines, spreading lies and conspiracies for political aims?

After all, any citizen would know they are guilty of criticising the efforts of the government’s vaccination efforts.

The government is trying to balance the competing views of business interest groups, the private sector lobbying groups, the health stakeholders, the National COVID Task Force, and the citizenry. It has adopted a multinational and diverse approach to fighting this pandemic as opposed to a bipartisan one. Although the Delta variant/strains are causing much concern here, persons still have to get protected by testing and vaccination.

Finally, the entire posture adopted by PNC and APNU+AFC opposition is perplexing and sinister. It wants to inject politics into the COVID-19 vaccination campaign by preying on people’s emotions, fears, and lack of knowledge. As deaths continue to spiral, the opposition would not seek common ground and stop supporting the anti-vaccine campaign.

The statistics show a picture of (mostly) hospitalisations and deaths attributed to those who are unvaccinated. This blame game must end now. We can no longer afford to lose life to this dreaded virus. The PNC-led APNU+AFC must put the nation’s health above politics. It must genuinely dedicate its spate of political shows and get the message across that it is your body and your choice…but you are affecting society by holding out on being vaccinated. Dr. Cummings, Dr. Charles, and all politicians must seize the political fighting and stand side by side with the government in combatting this virus. There will be ample opportunity for investigations, answers, and inquiry into COVID-related spending but not while our mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters are dying. The time is now to stand in unison with the government.