Release, vaccine rollout, gas flaring, killed in churchRelease, vaccine rollout, gas flaring, killed in church

Feb 07, 2021 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

>>>Encouraging Events, Disturbing Developments<<<

By GHK Lall

Kaieteur News – I start with what could only have been considered by Guyanese to be positive. The announced midweek release of those Guyanese fishermen and their boats was most encouraging. Guyanese can only welcome what is deescalating versus what was an undeniable and unnecessary escalating of tensions, through what was destabilizing to this society’s ambience. These things have a tendency to get out of hand, if left untouched and unchecked; it does so at the individual level, and it is no different in the interactions between countries that share borders. Because of all this, it is better that the release of our brothers has occurred, and that going forward a better way to address our thorny issues will be found and accepted on how to resolve differences. With the returning fishermen safely – and hopefully healthily treated – in the company of their families and communities, it encourages enough to move on to other matters that are almost as pressing.
The encouraging news continued with what came from the government, through its national heath overseer, Dr. Frank Anthony. I read of plans preparing for possible vaccine distribution that goes beyond the public sector health workers, and public sector distribution channels. I think that is of good sense and a practical step. Another encouraging word was that over 100,000 vaccines are anticipated this year, with a couple of thousands arriving within the next two months. That is good news, but it must be remembered that, because of the two-dose requirement, that six figure vaccine number should be cut in half. A bit of a bummer came from Johnson & Johnson, the American pharmaceutical giant, which was well on its way, according to optimistic reports, in delivering a vaccine that needed only a single inoculation. It does not appear to be so close now, which places a damper on expectations, given the alarming discoveries of more and more variants of the virus, all mostly unknown as to how to deal with, and how many more may be in motion. Of particular concern for most Guyanese (it is to me) is the state of the situation in nearby Brazil. This is too close for comfort, and no longer about what is either just over there or in the news, but what is too frighteningly in the vicinity. As more than one of our healthcare experts, and public health administrators, have warned with increasing intensity, we could be severely exposed and endangered. Our systems – institutional and human -may not be able to cope. I trust that circumstances will not come to such conditions.
At this point, I am left no choice but to speak to what disturbs. Exxon’s continued reckless gas flaring is disturbing, and it is still more disturbing to behold the palpable indifference of Guyanese governing powers to what is going on, and where that leaves us. Almost daily, one concerned Guyanese after another have stepped forward and voiced sharp protest of the government’s withdrawal into silence and inaction. Beyond any lingering doubt, what Exxon is doing in the producing wellheads is dangerous, and could prove to be costly for us. There is no stopping and revisiting of current gas flaring actions and levels by either Exxon or the Guyana government. There is no insurance or protection in place should there be an oil spill. There is no comforting equipment and no effort on the company’s part to pause and take stock of where things are, and how unacceptable those are; or to reverse course and give everyone a chance to figure things out. It is drill and drill and flare and flare. There could be hell to pay, which is what disturbs heavily.
Last, there was the disturbing report on Monday in the media of a woman in Jamaica sitting in church and praying. She was shot and killed in a perversity that looked premeditated. Is there no limit? Is there no sacred time? No sacred place anymore? If this does not disturb, then nothing will.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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