FITUG concerned about “alarming” COVID-19 situation

Sep 14, 2021 News

Kaieteur News – Calling the prevailing COVID-19 situation alarming, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) in a release issued yesterday noted that “it is hard to ignore the rising number of COVID-19 infections in our beloved country.” Even more alarming, the union body in a release noted, is the increased number of persons who have succumbed to the dreaded virus. Though not yet confirmed, “it appears that our country is now gripped by the Delta variant which is more virulent than previous variants and is at the root of the rising infections,” it added.
Despite the several warnings, FITUG observed that “we continue to witness Guyanese adopting a lax attitude to the several measures which can safeguard them from being infected.”
Moreover, the union noted that, it is disturbing that many mature individuals have taken such a relaxed approach, potentially exposing themselves and their family members to the dreaded virus. Additionally, FITUG is concerned about the hosting and organising of gatherings which can promote the rapid spread of the virus. Given the rising spate of cases, it added, it is prudent in our view to ensure that gatherings are kept to a minimum and appropriate restrictions be enforced to protect the health of all Guyanese.
“Of course, our way out of the pandemic is linked to the inoculation of our people,” the union underscored, adding “disturbingly we recognise that there are many who continue to spread great lot of misinformation to the detriment of the vaccination programmes.” It is now scientific fact that vaccination reduces the risk of severe infection and FITUG noted that it has learnt recently that most persons have become critically ill or have succumbed either have not been vaccinated or were not fully vaccinated.
For this reason, FITUG “urges all Guyanese to take advantage of the Government’s vaccination programme.” Linked to the question of vaccines, it stated, has been the recent expressions regarding regulations on unvaccinated Guyanese. Noting that “this is a matter that is now engaging the attention of the Judiciary,” FITUG added that “as a responsible organisation, the FITUG will refrain from offering any comment but await the decision of the Courts. In the meantime, we believe, as individuals we must take every precaution to protect ourselves. We urge social distancing, regular sanitation and wearing of appropriate masks correctly. Such efforts together with vaccinations could lead us out of the pandemic and allow our lives to return to what they once were. Already too many lives have been lost and we should all seek to be our brothers and sisters keeper.”

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