PPP/C-led forum on coronavirus urges wearing of masks by all

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s National COVID-19 Multi-stakeholder Response Forum is calling on persons to start wearing face masks to help slow the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and it is also questioning why more testing is  not being done for the virus.

“We believe that if all of us in Guyana wear a mask, it will minimize/stop the virus from spreading. If the virus cannot spread freely, it cannot infect as many people and we should be able to decrease its potency and save many more lives. There will be less particles with the virus in the air and less contaminated surfaces. While we recognize that wearing regular (not medical) home-made masks do not guarantee that someone will be free from catching the COVID-19 infection, it does increase the likelihood of preventing spread to the entire population,” a press released by the Forum, which was launched by Presidential candidate Dr. Irfaan Ali last Saturday, stated.

Additionally, it was revealed that the Forum received donations of fabric to commence the production of face masks which will be given out for free and they will be communicating with the Toshaos to see what can be done to make face masks in the interior.

“We encourage the (Government’s) National Task Force to join this effort to produce hundreds of thousands of face masks for the use of the public,” the release further stated, while adding that instructions on how to put on a face mask were  posted on the Forum’s Doctorsonline24hrs Facebook account last night.

In addition, the Forum is also calling for a national policy of self-isolation/stay at home across the country while stressing that social distancing of 6 feet, frequent hand washing/sanitizing, and sanitizing surfaces practices must not be neglected.

The Forum explained that the national policy of self-isolation means only essential services will remain open and individuals would only be allowed to leave home infrequently for food, pharmaceuticals or money. It was also suggested that all non-essential staff in the public sector be allowed to stay home with pay.

Meanwhile, the Forum, which will be conducted in a virtual setting in order to avoid contact, is also exploring ways of obtaining scarce resources for the health sector.

“It is the opinion of the Forum, after much consultation both in Guyana and overseas that as we are still in the early phases of this infection in Guyana, our best chance of preventing a disaster, lies in preventing its spread as much as possible. We are advised that by all projections globally that this pandemic will be spreading over many months to come. Therefore, Guyana will have to recognize that we are in for the long haul,” the forum wrote before adding that several social media groups have been set up to allow Guyanese health professionals to interact with colleagues in other parts of the world.

Stating that the lack of personal protection equipment and inadequate supplies of test kits, medicines, respirators and ventilators along with the lack of proper training and protocols for health workers and ancillary staff, especially those out of Georgetown, is appalling, the Forum revealed that it has written to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud asking him to provide vital answers as it relates to COVID-19 testing.

In the letter several questions were asked including how many health care workers have been exposed to COVID-19, how many persons who were placed in mandatory quarantine were tested, what preparations are in place to scale up testing across Guyana; whether an expert panel would be convened to examine the advantages of using serologic testing for screening and given the shortage of testing capacity in the public sector, would the Ministry allow the private sector to provide PCR and molecular testing.

In the letter, which was written by Dr. Frank Anthony, the CMO was asked to publicize his answers so that persons can be better informed.