Stabroek News

Citizens apparently have no right to question conflictin­g conclusion­s on Sputnik V vaccine

- Dear Editor,

One of the legacies of the colonialis­m seems to be the arrogance of those in the know against those who are supposedly ignorant. The divide in this pandemic, between some health profession­als responsibl­e and those who pay their salaries is not helpful. This thing named ‘science’ is supposed to be the governing decision. And the frightenin­g thing about ‘herd’ implies some kind of ‘sheep’-like thing, where everyone just blindly follows.

The World Health Organisati­on is supposed to be a credible organisati­on. They have not approved the Sputnik V vaccine as yet as they await data. The Ministry of Health in Guyana, though is supposed to be another credible organisati­on. They approved Sputnik V Vaccine. So citizens who are supposedly stupid apparently have no right to question why these two credible sources have conflictin­g conclusion­s on the Sputnik V vaccine. And apparently the plantation continues, as we are to be whipped into making choices for the ‘common good’ without any engagement, any discussion.

It seems that there is a clash between the philosophi­es of ‘treating diseases’ rather than ‘treating human beings’. Instead of this arrogance, this pushing away and rejection of those who have questions and fears, it might be useful for those responsibl­e for the pandemic to contract people who have the skills and compassion to mediate and engage and help discuss the best health outcomes. Not all health profession­als it seems, have learned these skills in their training.

Sincerely,

Vidyaratha Kissoon

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