Dear Editor,
WE need to do more than request an isolation day. The time is now to heavily stress the importance of adults to bear personal responsibility for their actions as it relates to the management of the COVID pandemic. When schools were closed, a considerable number of adults, many of whom are parents, failed to realise that attending parties would endanger their children and other relatives. They failed to realise that sending their children to birthday parties can endanger them and even lead to the virus being brought home. They failed to realise that flooding the shopping malls with their children can lead to the spread of the virus. But now, that schools are open, there is a sudden hue and a cry about their children’s safety when many of them have been exposing their children carelessly through the pandemic.

This is a tough conversation to have but a very necessary one. We need to be adults about the issues that affect us Mr Editor and call a spade a spade. If we as a nation can put our children first, curtail our attendance at unnecessary activities such as brunches and bar openings, the spread of this virus would be considerably decreased.

Another point to consider is the continued reluctance by almost half of the adult population to be at least fully vaccinated. The latest figure coming out of the Ministry of Health is that 58 per cent of Guyana’s adult population is fully inoculated. To achieve herd immunity at least 80 per cent of the adult population must be fully vaccinated.

Mr. Editor, vaccines are available in this country for each adult Guyanese and adolescent child. Since the arrival of vaccines, there has been no complaint about the shortage of vaccines except for the hiccup regarding the delayed arrival of the Sputnik V second dose in 2021. But even during that shortage, other vaccines were available for persons who had not received any dose.

The science shows that taking any of the available vaccines is the best way we can offer ourselves some type of protection against the serious effects of the virus if we were to be infected. Guyanese must understand that the reluctance to be vaccinated coupled with the willingness to expose ourselves does not augur well for our children. Our recklessness towards this virus will lead to increased spread and will cause the disruption of education delivery; something we cannot afford, at this point, to encourage.

Yours truly,
Maureen Matthews