Dear Editor,
Permit me a space in your daily newspaper. As our numbers have climbed with regards to the coronavirus (COVID-19), we have seen a few initiatives to combat this virus as a nation. I would like to highlight the initiative led by Dr Irfaan Ali and his team to distribute fabric masks across Guyana. This initiative is a stellar one compared to all other initiatives that took place since the outbreak came to our shores. Many have also taken to social media to condemn this act of humanity, because the masks are not N95 or surgical masks. Let me make it clear that any type of mask is definitely better than none! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website says, “CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (eg, grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
As you can see, the CDC clearly recommends the use of this mask. As citizens, we must accept and applaud Dr Ali for his bold and quite clever initiative, I saw pictures of him actually distributing these masks and each mask that is packaged has instructions for those who are in receipt of these masks. I condemn the vile comments against this initiative, and we must understand that preferences to the N95 and surgical masks should be given to those in the health sector. I will definitely say any mask is better than none! I must also acknowledge the imposed curfew that was set in place, I do think that a curfew is good, however, our citizens were not prepared for said curfew. Let us not forget the CDC for their contributions as well, I do hope the initiative by the CDC is a continuous one and it will indeed help all Guyanese throughout our land.
May we all be safe during this dire time, may we all understand the seriousness at hand and may we all ensure to be thankful for whatever little mercies we may be given.
