By A. Concerned Vincentian
About a week ago, public servants were notified of a new policy requiring them to be vaccinated or be tested twice monthly. Many have condemned this seemingly discriminatory and oppressive policy while many more have understandably remained silent, lest they be victimised, targeted or otherwise disadvantaged for openly denouncing the policy.
Certainly, there are those who criticise the policy privately. This is an unfortunate and undeniable reality in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Yet, many ULP zealots and devotees deny that such is the reality while others concede but seek to justify it by stating that this was the reality under NDP leadership more than two decades ago. This kind of diversionary tactic is known as the tu quoque fallacy, which does not resolve the extant issue but only distract you from it.
That said, all right-thinking persons not enchanted by the very eloquent prime minister would agree that the recent policy makes absolutely no sense!
First, a policy that strongly recommends vaccination or mandates testing only for public servants, to the exclusion of private sector employees and all others, in the interest of public health and safety, is risible. Can’t private sector employees contract and spread the COVID-19 virus to public servants and, by extension, the general public? In fact, given that those who are vaccinated may still contract and spread the virus to others, is it not nonsensical to place the focus solely on those who have not been vaccinated as if they are the only ones capable of spreading the virus?
Second, there has never been a COVID-19 outbreak at any schools. Even so, much focus is placed on forcing teachers to take the vaccine or be tested frequently. This seems to be a very disproportionate measure taken to protect students whom the data does not suggest are at the greatest risk. Who are the ones being hospitalised and dying of COVID-19? Is it not those with underlying medical conditions?
Third, any derogation from constitutional rights and freedoms must typically be necessary, proportionate, and or reasonably required to achieve the particular objective. How then can one reasonably justify such a policy as necessary in the interest of public health and safety, suggesting that the country is facing a COVID-19 public health crisis, when we are not actually under a state of emergency, the borders have always remained open, and no curfew has ever been ordered? Where exactly is this public health crisis which warrants such an infringement on the rights and freedoms of Vincentians? In the mind of the policymaker?
To reiterate, the policy is absurd and only serves to oppress public servants. Sadly, it has never been Vincentian culture to be collectively outraged at oppression, victimisation and violation of citizens’ rights. Many persons close their eyes to the problem and hope that it goes away until they themselves are found in the same predicament. Indeed, it started with the minibus operators and many persons remained silent instead of denouncing the mandatory vaccination for van drivers, disguised as a choice or an incentive to carry more passengers. Think about it, if the number of passengers can safely be increased for those van drivers who take the vaccine, why can’t it be increased for all van drivers? What does a vaccinated driver have to do with the spread of the virus among passengers? Does this make any sense?
Your rights are being violated right before your eyes and you are passive about it simply because you are infatuated with a charismatic, well-spoken prime minister whose speeches could make you willingly offer both your kidneys to save his life. Worship God and not your prime minister! Be your brothers’ keeper and speak out against injustice, even if you have to write an article about it and remain anonymous!
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I will comment on the science only. We are in the middle of an egregious pandemic caused by Sars CoV ii . Many millions have unfortunately died. This virus can only live in human (or animal) host. So we are all vectors, man, woman and child. Let’s us crush the virus together. We are lucky to have vaccines. These expire in three months.
And then there is the situation with the testing. During the spikes of covid the labs were swamped with tests and persons had to wait for as much as 3 weeks before receiving results, so any mandated testing would have this effect on the system. The observed protocol is that those who are being tested should isolate themselves until their results are verified. So let us imagine that half of the public servants are tested today, these persons would return home for three days awaiting their results. If they test positive they are to remain in isolation for another 14 days until they are declared covid free, did I mention fully paid by their employer,. Let us consider this half of the staff is from the staff of the Kingstown preparatory school, what is to be obtained at this school if not a forced closure because this institution is already overpopulated. Now if this decision was considered by our highest public figures before implementation , Fool ah talk but nah fool ah listen
With the rate at which things are going with COVID19 perhaps a more assertive pressure should be placed upon each citizen in order to get this situation under control. From what I’ve heard the main reason people are reluctant or out right refuse to adhere to the most basic social requirements necessary to get on top of COVID19 here is due to nonsensical conspiracy.
Great! It is great when people speak their mind and make good sense. It is both sad and frightening that our PM has been trying every angle to force vaccination. Now he is saying the UK will not send tourists here unless the masses get vaccinated. Is that all we have is tourism? What about Medicinal Ganja and other agriculture? What about the Seafood plants going in? What about all those new businesses from Pryme Grants and Loans, or were these all election tricks?
Mike… Read this after taking the Jab.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&context=jicrcr
Yes, conspiracy! We are hearing of those that (just coincidentally) died in SVG right after taking the vaccine; JUST COINCIDENCE! which is why it never made it into the news. But those with serious sicknesses and advanced age that died from Covid, many just after having a stroke, were reported for all to hear! All those countries suspending the AstraZeneca and all the research and facts they have are just conspiracy. Instead we have to believe the authorities in SVG because they are the greatest on earth.
Our Prime Minister has said SVG Medical care is “second to none” and he should know because he gets all his medical attention overseas. He is so brave to get a different vaccine than the rest of us. Wow!
Mike are you sane? or is it that you are a program robot. Use your brain.