Our fundamental rights versus the COVID

Georgetown seems doomed counsel

Redundant • Repetition • Unnecessary • Superfluous • Really not needed • These were the words reflecting my own honest belief and conclusion that it was/is not at all necessary for me to join the raging debate about the SARS-Cov 2 corona (family) disease spawned by the first virus and now, its variants.

Every day in every medium here and throughout the globe thousands of words transmit messages regarding this pandemic, the likely origin, the therapies, “approved”, indigenous, or not. However I now succumb merely to contribute basic reminders. These have to do with the vaccines, attitudes and rights. Because my focus to provoke sensible, reasonable thought concentrates on individual, human, civil rights coupled with responsibilities, I’ll be necessarily brief and pointed.

Beginning around February 2020 the COVID-19 started to ravage China and Europe with rapid mass deaths, especially among the world’s elderly with previous health challenges, not experienced since the pandemics of 1914/1918 even as a World War was also then merrily, devastatingly being “conducted”.

(I’m open to correction here, but even as this was being written I think COVID has just surpassed the deaths of that era!)

The late U.S. Supreme Court justice, the brilliantlyfeisty Ruth Bader-Ginsberg had described Donald Trump and his presidency as an American “aberration”. Real estate part-time tycoon Trump was many things to many people. But he did inspire American medical scientists to speed up production of needed vaccines

as the pandemic ripped through American hospitals, communities and lives. (His political opponents even managed to submerge his success strategically before

last November’s presidential elections.)

Even though the clinical trials were in order scientifically, perhaps the genesis of doubt amongst some sceptics in the world began since then. Funny there was no similar outcry as the British perfected their Covid vaccine equally swiftly. As developers and manufacturers shared data to save their world. And world markets!

Citizens’ rights, government’s responsibility

As indicated in the beginning above, I will be guilty of repetition here as real excellent print-media representations have articulated the following already. But I’m using my “style” to remind those who read me.

As against the evidence, the proof of the medical science – that vaccinations are working – so far, a whole anti–vaccine lobby, even instant folklore has also gained ground and acceptance among many. Some “beliefs”?

That the vaccines are the mark of the devil; that they are akin to selective genocide aimed at reducing specific populations; that China seeks world dominance against the west. And so on.

Frankly speaking, all the education/persuasion campaigns will make little impact, difference upon those believers. Even when their parents, spouses or children succumb. The question is: are those anti-vaxxers (alone) responsible for the perpetuation of COVID? Even as variants now mutate to worsen the plague?

In Guyana, some individuals with evil vested interests, can politicise even metagee, chowmein or roti-andcurry. The vaccination drives here are compromised by

“my body-my-choice” protests. Ostensibly against official compulsion and bullyism. I point out to the antivaccine protesters three points for their consideration in the following paragraph.

One, the world is moving, inexorably, relentlessly towards “vaccination please”. Or else. Who will afford free tests without international assistance? Two: would the Brigadier’s coalition have been different? Their 2020 gazetted instructional regulations allowed them

even to burn patients’ clothing!

Three: the Constitution does promote/guarantee our individual rights and freedoms. But we can all accept government’s responsibility to keep the nation safe. So please note the Constitution’s Article 139 (6). This provision advises that “no person shall be deprived of personal liberty” – except if the government has to take steps to prevent “the spread of an infectious or contagious disease”

Now pretend that “your party” is in government and do things to remain safe.

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Sentiment – and rigging

Just brief, fleeting but perhaps profound thoughts, considerations, ruminations.

Look I’ve recently repeated my conditional guilt about supporting electoral rigging under comrades Burnham and Hoyte. In government for 28 years. Mistakenly, I made myself believe that they meant to “develop Black People” equitably with “the others”. Afro-comrades and “the others” left in their thousands. Even as brilliant “Burnham minds” served in his Cabinets.

Now I keep wondering, since my political epiphany in 1997: how could tribal love, sentiment for a party compromise honesty, integrity, democracy? This world, this Guyana society has been overwhelmed by new values of theft, tricks, subterfuge. To hell with people’s will! So it’s okay to sit in Parliament with those who meant to steal the vote! Necessary compromise? For “peace”? Ho-Ho-Ho.

How could good change ever come?

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Frankly speaking, GT is doomed!

Regulars will know I’ve been at this for recent years. Frankly speaking, our Guyana capital city is doomed! Cannot recapture its charm, cleanliness and status of my youth and teenaged years.

Many are the reasons, the causes. Last Sunday I empathised, then sympathised with attorney- counsel Ralph Ramkarran as he wrote pleading for an improved city. Of course, as a citizen who has lived in Georgetown for all my 75-plus years, I agree and support such calls. But frankly I’ve given up. Public attitudes, lack of standards, aesthetics and raw politics will guarantee Georgetown’s further demise.

City Hall has no expertise, will or finances. Government is both wary and cares less about the municipal PNC friendliness. So we are doomed to suffer from vendor-defiance, city police collaboration and overall breakdowns. Which government dares bring order and beauty to Georgetown? None! Please make me wrong.

Until…

• 1) I agree: the burning of cocaine and marijuana on Homestretch Avenue, GT, was unacceptable!

• 2) The early PNC of my time boasted some powerful yet-charming ladies of some class. Would they have appreciated the Manickchand vulgarity produced?

• 3) Obesity is not welcome at any age. With respect I caution our young President and his First Lady.

• 4) Postponed: “Our political small, shell, cardboard “parties”.

`Til next week! (allanafenty@yahoo.com)