Trump on immigration, disinfectant and Guyanese

Apr 26, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

President Trump made two major announcements this past week: 1. A temporary suspension of immigration (residency) to the USA, and 2) Use of UV light and disinfectant kills the virus.
The visa suspension affects immigration from all countries but does not end sponsorship.
One has to be careful with use of disinfectant (bleach, in particular) as it can be dangerous to health.
Anyone who works or studied in science labs, as I did some 40 years ago, would know that disinfectant (bleach) is used to kill virus and deadly bacteria on concrete counter surface after experiments with dead animals.
On landed visas, although one expects it would be only for two months as he stated, it is not clear when the President would end the moratorium preventing issuance of immigrant visas.
It could be extended beyond the November Presidential – it is a vote catcher for Trump playing well in his (red neck) base.
If one already has an immigrant visa to enter the US, the visa would not be affected; he or she can enter the US.
But those who were already interviewed, approved and just waiting for the visa stamp would be impacted.
There are some exemptions like children and spouse of a US citizen. (PS: Children born to an American citizen in Guyana or other country are automatically citizens of the US; no visa needed to immigrate to the US).
Healthcare workers (nurses, doctors) seeking immigrant visas to US are not affected. All other (tourist, employment, exchange, professional) issued visas are not affected. But with embassies closed in most countries, it would be very difficult to get a visitor’s visa to the US.
If one already has a green card and stuck in Guyana, he will not be prevented to enter the US. Sponsorship of immigrants will continue but the line for a visa will get longer.
With regards to killing the virus or trying to keep it at bay, scientists do claim that ultraviolet light (UV) of the sun kills the Corona virus almost instantly. Sun is good for plants – necessary for photosynthesis as we learn in biology and chemistry courses.
But too much sun can affect human skin especially of light complexioned people leading to cancer.
If one already has the virus, being in the sun won’t kill it as the virus is in the throat or lung already (prescribed medicine, home-made remedies, hot liquids are necessary).
The virus should not have much impact on people living in Guyana and are in the sun.
But it would not prevent people from being infected when in close gathering as the virus is spread from person to person (even when in sun) who are in close contact.
Practice safe social distancing.
Like the sun, disinfectants also kill the virus almost instantly. Bleach is perfect but try to avoid putting on skin. Those of us who worked in science labs would know that bleach vapour can be suffocating.
Bleach burns or destroys good cells and beneficial bacteria. Please do not ingest or inject yourself with bleach (Chlorox or any other brand) thinking it would kill the virus; it would not work and in fact would put your health at risk. Bleach is only for outer cleaning (but not on the skin).
President Trump was being ‘sarcastic’ when he suggested experiments on use of UV light and disinfectant inside the body to kill the virus.
People are poking fun. Some of the people counting the ballots in Guyana have a different kind of virus; the bleach may help them to count correctly.

Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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