Recommit to life’s more positive values – President to Guyanese

…urges restraint in Phagwah festivities amid COVID-19 pandemic

President Dr Irfaan Ali struck an optimistic note on Saturday in his Phagwah Day message urging the population to continue showing restraint and discipline in their celebration of the holiday amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his statement extending greetings to Guyanese on the occasion of the holiday, the President reminded that Phagwah is usually celebrated by all ethnic groups. However, he implored the population to be cognisant of the COVID-19 pandemic and to temper their celebrations in favour of a return to public celebrations next year.
“This year’s observances have had to be moderated on account of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the spiritual significance of this resplendent festival remains undiminished. As we celebrate Holi, let us continue to exercise the discipline and restraint which are imperative at this time to overcome the pandemic.”

“The vaccination campaign which we have launched will help to protect our people and, eventually, allow us to exit this pandemic. Of that, we can be sure! We can be confident that by next year we shall be able to return to the exuberant public celebrations traditionally associated with this most splendid and glorious festival,” President Ali said in his statement.
Ali also spoke of the significance of the celebration. He recalled that Phagwah reminds all of the impermanence of life and its different seasons. The President took the opportunity to remind all to recommit to life’s more positive values.
“This is one of the country’s most colourful and cheerful festivals. It is enjoyed by persons of all ethnic persuasions and marked by public outpourings of fun, joy and happiness. Phagwah reminds us that our lives are like the seasons – subject to fortune, uncertainty and vicissitudes – but that renewal and rebirth follows every unwelcome circumstance.”
“Phagwah is a celebration of rebirth. It commemorates the regeneration of the land. Also known as Holi, Phagwah is a time to renew our relations with and to reconcile with friends and family. The festival provides an opportunity to recommit to the values of love, friendship, empathy and sharing,” the President said.
Since Guyana’s first encounter with COVID last year, successive Governments have tried to restrict social activities that could help spread the virus. Guyana started its vaccination campaign in February with frontline health workers and then extended to persons 60 years and over.
Over 25,000 persons in Guyana have been vaccinated to date. However, with Government aiming to vaccinate 10,000 persons daily, additional vaccines will be needed. Initially, Guyana was slated to receive 100,800 vaccines in its first collection from COVAX – a body of organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO) that was established to ensure there is equal access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
But Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony recently disclosed that COVAX has significantly reduced that figure to now 24,000 doses for several countries in the region including Guyana. However, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has said that the remainder of the initial 100,000-plus vaccines will arrive here in May.
Last week, the President had said they also reached out to the manufacturers of AstraZeneca in India but hit a stumbling block there as well. However, he had indicated that Guyana is looking at another India-manufactured COVID-19 jab – COVAXIN, which was the vaccine taken by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It was reported that Guyana is looking to obtain some 400,000 doses of the COVAXIN, which has an 81 per cent efficacy. Additionally, the President had announced on Friday that the country is buying some 200,000 doses of the Russian manufactured Sputnik V vaccines to the tune of a whopping US$4 million.
The Health Minister has said that herd immunity, which is when enough people are immune to the virus that it is no longer a threat, will only be possible if at least 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated. (G3)