No masks, no mas, no pain

Mar 20, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,
This is the day that the music stops, and the hope is that the morning after will be manageable. Guyana was lushly joyful on Friday in blissful ecstasies of long-awaited release in a cathartic outpouring of uninhibited abandon. Different parts of it, from the involved to the peculiar, as in Leopold Street and Albouystown, with non-Hindus and many non-Indians were in the mix of exuberant festivities. I take it that the places mentioned were spontaneous, and not of the sponsored kind made possible by Bonnie Prince Charlie, the man lurking in the wings and waiting to be king. Amid all this, I trust that we will not be made to pay for our reckless revelries.
This is because I heard some of the musical cadences at crescendo levels, I saw some of the huddled and gyrating unmasked on the tightly packed trucks and bubbling streets, and I concluded that Guyana has successfully arrived. Beyond the shoals of COVID-19. I thank Minister Frank Anthony, though for what I am not sure, which is why I am guarded.
I am guarded with these relaxations. Though I have personal difficulty with masks, their worth is recognised. Now the latest concern is to be near a maskless stranger: church or street or shop. Don’t ask why this is of a man who likes to shake hands, and press the flesh (though not running for anything, including bird watcher); but I have to take Minister Anthony’s word that the numbers are down, as in truly down. He is in charge, and I would hope that his is not the case of a man and a minister who has dealt himself (and us) a hand which reeks of the marked; meaning, the tainted, a hint of the manipulated. On the face of it, this uncertainty swirls, notwithstanding the helpful numbers being where they are.
As much as I appreciate that he is not as strong as he should be, I believe that he is wiser than he comes across, and should not have let the collective weight of powerful comrades overwhelm him. For there is some mystery for a lost soul like me to fathom how self-testing without reporting requirement could lend credence to those low numbers that I reluctantly welcome. I sense a situation of numbers cornered to concoct a certain comforting outcome, a proper environmental ambience. PAHO sounds troubled (a proper tactful word), so there is stalwart company. I think Guyana jumped the gun, unholstered too quickly, too completely.
Thus, in my post-subh Holi (see I do know a thing or two) contemplations, I wonder what price is to be paid for this reckless toying with the fates, with forced numbers, retreating premature protocols, and cascades of celebrations. It is as though we learned nothing (China, New Zealand, America), and are asking for it. In the kisser. This comes as I think additionally of those who soothe themselves with symptoms merely being a bad case of the flu, stay below official radars. Please don’t come near to me. There is sufficient sense of self that I make my narrow circle tighter, since I block out and lock out political luminaries like the dancing bear of a President that we have (not to be mistaken for Teddy Roosevelt, more like a rather nimble Guyanese Chubby Checker). There is a wizard of a Vice President, who I wonder what the gods of Holi would think when they survey his creations in Guyana’s public spheres. He is conspicuous by his nuanced distancing from riotous delights of Friday.
Editor, we have felt severe pain from the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why I ask myself about the unholy hurry to inflict more distress upon ourselves. We did in December, and regretted in January, while we lived with misery and anxiety. The President and his people may be outraged at what I write and share, which confirms the right things are ventilated front and centre. I remind all this public service is not for the pleasure of President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and whoever else are left out. Somebody has to shed some light, speak to truth in this country. As much as I yearn for a widening return of the good ole days (not runaway cheating, stealing, and deceiving), I register my misgivings. Some alarms also.
On Minister Anthony’s head I lay this one. He was in a recent season listed among contenders for the presidency. Now with uncommon lack of commonsense, he looks lesser, more of a loser. The problem is that if he gambled and lost, so do a lot of celebrating Guyanese.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News