Dear Editor,
Despite overwhelming evidence showing the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, some Guyanese are still hesitant to get it.
The campaign is emblematic of messaging around vaccination for COVID-19, both for and against. Often the disease itself is a bit player in a conversation built around other issues such as patriotism, freedom, winning or standing athwart government overreach. Vaccination, or lack thereof, even one’s position on the vaccine has become, to some people, an indication of loyalty to one’s political party.
The problem here is, almost from the get-go, we have not made this a health conversation. We have made this a political debate.
With the recent increase in COVID-19 infections, the vaccination drumbeat is getting louder, as is criticism of those seen as vaccine skeptics.
The PPP/C administration must do more to address vaccine hesitancy, which is more prevalent in the APNU-AFC support base, our leaders must educate these skeptics about the benefits of the vaccine, not hector or preach. This information must come from respected and trusted figures in the various hesitant communities, regardless of how vaccine messaging is presented, there is a growing sense among many health officials that it’s time for a new strategy if Guyana want to improve vaccination rates.
I think we’ve hit a point where we’re almost beyond messaging and need to start to move to mandates. The political gridlock has made the nation vulnerable and we need to look to private businesses, to the private sector, to get us through this pandemic.
In addition to the Government, some large employer’s such as Exxon should require their employees to be vaccinated.
The problem will persist as long as people are still seeing the pandemic as a political issue to debate.
Guyana’s health system isn’t one side of the aisle or the other. It’s the dirt on which those very aisles are built, and if we don’t realize this, if we don’t come together and realize that health is a nonpartisan issue, then our nation remains vulnerable to death and disease.
After all, the campaign against the Ministry of Health’s measures by conservative politician’s media figures like our GTU leaders is having a direct negative impact on Guyana Teacher’s Union. Why would political figures choose to threaten the health and even the lives of their own supporters?
In parts of Region 10 and Linden, where vaccination rates are significantly lower than the national average, the fact is the opposition political leaders are not encouraging people to get vaccinated.
In many small communities in Region 10, people rely on local leaders to help them with certain decisions and make them aware of their options, and we have not done a good job, our leaders must get into these smaller neighbourhoods and give small communities the confidence to make a decision. That’s why it’s critical to find individuals like personal health care providers, local nurses, doctors, pastors and educated community leaders to relay that message. Instead, what we have seen are the anti-vaxxers been busy demonstrating around Region 10.
One person was observed carrying a placard that read: “My body, my choice, includes vaccines too.” That person should be thankful their parents, without giving them a choice, had them vaccinated against various diseases.
Another placard stated, “COVID-19 is a scam.” With that line of reasoning, smallpox, polio, measles, rubella, chicken pox and other diseases are also scams.
I have only one reaction to those who say they have the “right” not to vaccinate or wear masks.
What gives you the “right” potentially to kill your children or grandchildren, or those of other people, by spreading the virus?
“Enough is enough”. People who refuse vaccination are a risk to all of us.
It’s time to criminalize refusal. If you’re not masked despite a requirement to do so, you should be arrested. A vaccine refuser who infects others should be charged with assault.
We should take the same approach as Texas in the USA with its new abortion law and allow any citizen to sue an anti-vaxxer for $10,000 plus legal fees.
The country is needlessly suffering, and it’s got to stop now. No one has the freedom to harm or kill someone else.
Sincerely,
David Adams
