Politicians that put their interest above the State and public’s

Dear Editor,
The Irfaan Ali Government’s new policy on COVID-19 vaccination is agitating some unvaccinated persons and self-serving politicians.
They say they have a right to determine their health, insisting they won’t take the vaccine, which is free. Someone even argued that the policy is coercive.
Another protestor said she is not taking the vaccine because she understands from the politicians that it is not safe to take, and the Government wants to kill out as many people as they can kill. She vowed to protest against the PPP Government’s vaccination policy until it is changed.
Editor, the protestors are badly misguided, and they are spreading misinformation to the public. They are making a mockery of themselves, and are inviting public criticism of the vaccinated population. And the APNU+AFC Opposition is playing politics and using these innocent Guyanese to make it seem there is instability on the ground.
APNU+AFC politicians did not tell the people they were wrong and they should stop protesting. Do the protesters know how many persons have died worldwide because they made similar choices, or could not access a vaccine?
Do they know they are putting themselves at risk by protesting, participating in neo-political meetings and rallies without sufficient protective measures?
These political figureheads are being secretive, and selective where they go to get the people riled up. They won’t tell the protesters the truth – that they are vaccinated and protected against COVID-19. These Opposition personalities want the people to come out on the streets and feel like their backs are against the wall.
Firstly, the PPP Government is not breaching the rights of the unvaccinated population. If anything, they get a choice to stay unvaccinated, but must get checked weekly, and have a test that must be negative. It is fair and safe that way, because all of our rights are protected.
As for the weekly cost, I know it would be hard on the unvaccinated population, but I think the Government should not have to stand this expense for those people’s stupid and careless decision. I make no apology, because the Government is spending millions on procuring vaccines for free public consumption, yet the unvaccinated population has chosen to listen to lies, half-truths, myths, and fallacies about vaccines.
Secondly, this policy move would ensure the COVID-19 crisis is better managed. Notably, safety levels are going up, and the level of risk is going down. The figures stated by the Ministry of Health show that 4,500 persons have decided to get vaccinated over the last two days. This development is being driven directly by the policy push adopted by the Government.
Thirdly, the anti-vaccination campaign is a diversionary tactic employed by Opposition politicians who want to distract us from their performance in Parliament. They also do not want the people to think about the failure to have party congresses and elect new leaders. So, these Opposition parties are busy using the opportunity of ignorance about the vaccine. They are making unjustifiable claims about the transparency and accountability of the inoculation project. Where is the research, credible science, and evidence to justify not being vaccinated?
All the arguments made may sound appealing to the natural ear, but when checked out against fact, they fail to stand the test of scrutiny. These vaccines are safe, and are Guyana’s best hope of beating the crisis. They are free and available to the masses.

Finally, the vaccinated can’t keep putting themselves and their families at risk. They listened to the charge to get vaccinated. They did so after seeing what is going on in the world. These people must protect their businesses and their interests from the effects of COVID-19. These two years have been a learning experience and a chance to value family and friends.
Guyanese, do not allow yourselves to become misused by these so-called politicians and non-governmental organisations. They are serving a clandestine political objective – to create mischief and outrage in the minds of citizens.
You would be better served if you are vaccinated and are following the protection guidelines and regulations that are in place. Don’t be complacent.

Yours respectfully,
Michael Younge