This deadly virus is rapidly spreading out of control with no sanctioned containment in sight

Dear Editor,

I fully endorse the letter written by former Attorney-General, Mr. Basil Williams. The current Government of Guyana has demonstrated a callous indifference towards the COVID-19 virus and the fact that for the month of April, 50 persons have died to date. The number of recorded daily positive cases continues to rise at an alarming rate with 214 cases in one day recently. There has been a total of 283 deaths which is an extremely high death toll for our country. Yet the President has not held a Press Conference to address this nor has there been the institution of any emergency measures to deal with this deadly virus which is rapidly spreading out of control in Guyana. The Government defiantly issued releases stating that the “curfew” (which is really no curfew) remains at the same absurd hours of 10:30 pm to 5 am. They prefer to have restaurants and bars open allowing for gatherings of persons. Persons are not being responsible so the Government must step up and impose social restrictions in the interest of everyone. If they cannot do so, then they must step aside.

We do not need bars and restaurants open at all at this time. We do not need Army officers endangering their lives by going into these establishments to arrest those not closing the doors at the late 10:30 hour. The Government, in a lame attempt, closed some of these establishments and then subsequently issued a statement listing the reopening of such venues a short time thereafter. There must be the recognition that the pursuit of economic wealth cannot supersede the lives and safety of the Guyanese people. We need a strictly enforced 6 pm to 6 am curfew, the closure of all malls, restaurants and bars, hair salons, places of worship, creeks and recreational areas. Further the airports must be closed with immediate effect to all flights. Further, places where there is a single case of at least one person being infected with this virus, must be ordered to be closed. The virus spreads like wildfire and it will only be a matter of time before all are infected. The fact that the Supreme Court of Guyana has not closed following the reports of multiple staffers having tested positive for the virus is a disgrace. One would have hoped that the Courts, as the guardians of the welfare of the citizens of Guyana, would have taken emphatic action to deal with this life and death issue which is haunting the nation.

Another matter of grave concern is that the Chairman of Region 4 (the Region which is plagued with the highest Covid19 infections) has made frantic appeals to the Covid-19 task force imploring them to introduce meaningful action to control the spread of the virus. However he has complained that his appeals have fallen on deaf ears while the infections continue to increase. The proximity of Guyana to Brazil is extremely frightening having regard to the number of deaths currently in that country. The ideal situation would be a shutdown of the Guyana thereby ensuring the safety of all. This has proven effective everywhere else in the world. The Government in its parochial pursuit of wealth is not minded so to do. Alas, it may have to be shut down as a result of workers being rendered incapable to perform their tasks since they have been infected with this rapidly spreading virus. I urge the Government to cease this unacceptable conduct and act now in the interest of us all. I call on my fellow Guyanese to take a strong position on this life and death issue.

Sincerely, Stephanie Isaacs