Teixeira raps APNU/AFC for violating COVID-19 measures by hosting public meetings

A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s (APNU/AFC) handling of the coronavirus and its incredible decision to host countrywide meetings at such a time, has drawn intense criticism from former opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira.
Teixeira, a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive, hauled the coalition over the coals in a letter on Monday, where she questioned whether the party had a conscience and any love for country, their supporters or healthcare workers already struggling under the present conditions.

“The decision of the APNU+AFC Coalition to hold a series of community meetings, whether indoors (worse) and or outdoors, in various regions at the same time that the numbers of persons infected with COVID-19 are rapidly increasing, is unconscionable,” she wrote.

“While the people of this country are suffering, while health workers across this country are asked to function in very risky conditions with very limited protection equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, and health facilities are stretched with limited staff, the APNU+AFC focus is on misleading and mobilizing supporters to challenge the inevitable declaration. This illustrates their utter disdain for our people.”

According to her, Commissioner of Police Leslie James must answer whether he or any of his Commanders gave permission for these meetings, which have already started with 12 meetings being held in Region Six on Sunday. Reports indicate that no permission was granted for the meetings to be held.

In addition, the police have made no moves to stop these meetings, despite them being outlawed. According to Teixeira, the Commissioner must answer why no effort was made by the police to stop these meetings.
When questioned about the meetings by sections of the media, People’s National Congress (PNC) General Secretary Amna Ally had said that the meetings were the coalition’s business. This was notwithstanding their ability to spread the virus.

“The PNC’s defiance of COVID-19 measures mirrors the APNU+AFC Coalition’s rejection of the results of the recount and repudiation of the report of the CARICOM Scrutinizing Team, the July 8th rulings of the CCJ and the July 20th ruling of the Chief Justice,” Teixeira wrote.

“We have witnessed the same party flouting these measures over and over again with public gatherings and protests with participants either not wearing masks or wearing masks as decorations around their necks and chins, with no regard for social distancing etc; to recap, Linden, Friendship and Plaisance, ECD, Agricola, ECD, outside of State House each time the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) meets, and, in front of the Magistrates’ Courts, the Court of Appeal and the US Embassy.”

Teixeira also criticised the Government’s handling of the crisis so far, from the $1 billion spent on the shady COVID-19 hospital – a deal she said will no doubt be examined by the Audit Office of Guyana – to the Government’s slow response to the pandemic.

“In the interim between January 17th to March 11th with the first case, there were no expeditious procurement of personal protective equipment – gloves, N95 masks, surgical masks, medical isolation gowns and caps, face shields, and isolation suits to protect the health workers who would be in the front line; no procurement of PCR test kits, no procurement of drugs and supplies.”

She cited the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr Karen Boyle, who had said recently that persons are 9.5 times more likely to be infected in Region One than in Region Four and seven times more likely to be infected in Region Seven, judging by the rate of infection.

“Yet over the last six months there has been no health teams parachuted into these regions to go to the Amerindian Village Councils, give them advice, carry out awareness programmes, do mass testing and contract tracing,” she noted.
“While refusing to demit office, the band of brigands has not distributed cloth masks to the public, food relief to families, especially the poor and vulnerable across the country, no financial assistance to working people or those made unemployed by the closure of businesses etc, no relief to the farmers and business community.”

Teixeira contrasted the Government’s attitude with the steps that PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali has taken, by organiSing the COVID-19 Response Stakeholders Forum and the distribution of hundreds of thousands of cloth masks and food hampers to the poor and vulnerable.
“This is what the Granger-led Task Force should have been doing all along, but once again it has failed the people. Their time is up; they cannot continue to ruin this country and punish the people. Time to go!” Teixeira also wrote.