PPP/C COVID-19 multi-stakeholders’ forum to begin production of face masks

…to be distributed for free
…calls for national isolation policy, “everyone wears a mask” campaign

A National COVID-19 Multi-stakeholders’ Response Forum established by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is calling for the implementation of a two-phased approach to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Forum is calling on the National Coronavirus Task Force to implement a National Isolation Policy and launch the ‘everyone wears a mask’ campaign.
The Forum, in a statement, related that the national policy of self-isolation means that only essential services will continue, and that individuals would leave home infrequently for food, pharmaceuticals or money.
They are suggesting that all bars, rum shops, restaurants (exclude take-out service), and the retail sector be closed, as well as all non-essential staff in the public sector be allowed to stay home with pay.
“ATMs, pharmacies, supermarkets, bakeries and markets should continue to function; all staff in the public or private sector who are considered essential and who have to continue to work must wear face masks at all times, including Police, prisoners and prison staff, those in homes for the elderly and staff, Post Office, minibus drivers, boatmen, sailors, market vendors,” the statement said.
The Forum said that countries were warned since January to begin preparation for COVID-19, but with Guyana’s limitation and the rapid deterioration of the heath sector in the past five years, much is yet to be desired. It informed that the local health sector is now in a most vulnerable and ill-prepared state to manage the crisis that this disease will have in our country over the next few weeks.
“The PPP/C decided that it could not rely on the government to take such an urgent national comprehensive approach in order to protect the population, reduce transmission, save lives, protect health workers, and offer relief to the poor and vulnerable, working people and self-employed, and the business community from COVID-19,” the Forum’s statement relayed.

“Everyone wears a mask” campaign
The Forum said it is of the opinion that if every Guyanese wears a mask, then that significantly reduces the opportunity for the virus to spread. If the virus cannot spread freely, it cannot infect as many people.
Wearing a mask means there will be fewer particles with the virus in the air, and less contaminated surfaces.
The Forum explained that while it is recognised that wearing regular (not medical) home-made masks does not guarantee that someone will not be infected by the COVID-19 infection, wearing a mask does increase the likelihood of preventing the disease spreading to the entire population. It is therefore very evident that if everyone wears a mask, then the ability to drastically slow the infection increases, which will lead to prevention of many complications and deaths.
“Guyana and Guyanese are not immune to this infection. Let’s be responsible and fight this together, before it’s too late and we are all overwhelmed and affected. We are calling on those who travel on public transportation, minibus drivers, taxi drivers, boat captains, pilots and crew of domestic airlines, Police, market vendors, cleaners in hospitals, etc., to wear face masks. Recognizing that the informal sector is very large, with a significant percentage being managed by women, in particular single parents who have no choice but to work, “we also state that they must wear face masks,” the Forum urged.

Free face mask
The Forum emphasize that the limited personal protection equipment (PPEs) stocks must be used only in the health sector, especially by those on the frontline. “To kick start this effort, the Forum has received donations of fabric to commence the production of face masks, which will be given out free. We also hope that other organizations, including individual tailors and seamstresses, will sew these face masks in different communities. In interior areas, we shall also communicate with the Toshaos to see in what way they can also make their own face masks,” it added.
The Forum was launched on Saturday by PPP/C Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali, and has since established an online presence, with doctors offering advice and answering questions of concerned citizens.
“This broad-based voluntary body will advocate and introduce measures, where possible — as it is not a governmental body– to inform and educate our people, improve their access to services, reduce the level of transmission, protect our people, mobilize badly needed resource measures, protect health workers; and address social, economic, financial relief to our people. There are several sub-committees functioning that are working to address these issues,” the statement noted.
It is the opinion of the Forum, after much consultation both in Guyana and overseas, that as Guyana is still in the early phases of the infection, the best chance of preventing a disaster lies in preventing its spread as much as possible.