PPP/C continues countrywide distribution of face masks

COVID-19

The National COVID-19 Multi-stakeholders’ Response Forum, which was activated by Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, Dr Irfaan Ali, saw the distribution of face masks throughout the length and breadth of Guyana with the aim of stopping the spread of the deadly virus.
On Monday scores of sugar workers protested and called on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to put measures in place to protect them from the virus.
On Tuesday however, Dr Ali donated over 420 masks to GuySuCo to be distributed to the sugar workers.

Further, a team led by Dr Ali continued its countrywide distribution exercise at the Mahaica Market and its environs.
The team is appealing to all citizens to wear the masks so as to protect themselves and others against the virus.
According to the Presidental Candidate, it is more important now than ever that all Guyanese, regardless of their race, religion or political affiliation, come together and fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think we can help each other and save each other by at least wearing these masks, observing the social distancing, ensuring that we wash our hands regularly and sanitise. Let us do [this] together, we have to protect each other,” he posited.
The PPP/C Presidential Candidate noted that the public needs to do their part to assist the frontline workers. This initiative is apart of the Forum’s ‘everyone wears a mask’ campaign as one of the measures to protect Guyanese from the virus.
The Forum has since established an online presence, with doctors offering advice and answering questions of concerned citizens.
On Sunday Dr Ali had cautioned Guyanese that the next two weeks will be critical in determining if the country comes out unscathed.
During a live address to the nation on social media, Ali urged Guyanese to stay protected at home and desist from venturing outside.
“I’ve spoken to a number of health professionals and those who are on the front line, working on this issue and they are all of the opinion that the next two weeks are critical weeks for us. The next two weeks are important to us, if we are to flatten the curve or if we allow COVID-19 to get the better of us,” he posited.
Ali furthered that this should not be seen as a scare, but a reality of what should roll out in the upcoming weeks as prevention, with input from all sections of society.
“This is just a discourse on the reality. The reality that confronts us. The reality that we must deal with and the reality that each one of us possesses the ability to help in confronting. We have to work together. We have to ensure that all of us come out on top of this in the next two weeks.”

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha
The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has also been distributing masks throughout Guyana. The Sabha said the masks are made of 100 per cent cotton and are distributed with instructions on care and how to wear the masks.
Masks are distributed for free in communities and many have already been distributed in Central Corentyne, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, Upper Corentyne and West Coast Berbice.
“We are humbled to see the love and care that Guyanese have shown for each other during this process and that spirit must continue in this difficult period in our country when health and life are at risk. We salute all those who have answered this need whether individually and from many different groups, as correct masking along with social distancing and handwashing may save lives.”
To this end, the religious organisation is calling on everyone to remain at home in an effort to contain the spread of the deadly virus.