Govt following WHO guidelines, Mr Aboud

THE EDITOR: With the greatest respect to the commercially erudite Gregory Aboud, after hearing his pronouncements on the health authorities’ covid19 restrictions I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he is no different from the “average Trini,” given his eminence in the business circle and his now assessment/suggestions as far as restrictions are concern.

Here he is, asking the Ministry of Health and the medical profession to explain why restaurants and other food establishments are constantly being closed as a precautionary measure. Again, with the greatest respect, I’d like to ask Aboud if he hasn’t yet heard that the world’s population was initially requested and is now legally ordered (in most developed countries) to wear face masks?

What parts of our bodies are mainly in use when we visit restaurants and other food establishments? More so, does he enjoys that little “wet throat” before a meal like the average Trini and then a little “wash down” after the meal with something supposedly “light.” And now in our “relaxed” state, doesn’t the need for masks slowly but surely evaporate?

Aboud is saying no one can quarrel with the closure of beaches given the Carnival atmosphere, but if he needs to give his loved ones a break from this present virtual “home-cell” and he has two places to choose from, the beach or a restaurant, fully aware that the coronavirus is not choosy in its spread and cognisant of where it’s more likely to spread, where will he take the risk with his loved ones?

Yes, we are all worried about our immediate and future economic prospects, both the state and private sectors because they are both interdependent. But we need to keep in mind this is a global pandemic and even with a variety of vaccines, presently there’s still no 100 per cent sure cure available.

While acknowledging Aboud’s organisation’s unsurmountable contribution to the development of TT that dates back decades, and his personal input, I referred to him as an “average Trini” only because he is giving the impression that in his view the Ministry of Health and by extension the Government do not necessarily need to follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization.

Given our natural resources and our protection from natural disasters up to this time, the average Trini still tends to believe that God is a Trini. And personally while I myself would have loved that to be so, it’s not. He’s a global citizen.

What am I saying? This is a global pandemic and it has respect for absolutely no one. And since the most authoritative people in the global health organisation have set simple guidelines for us to follow, all we need to do is look around (globally) and see what’s happening to those who choose to defy those instructions – not political instructions, but health instructions.

Yes, it’s indeed a worrying situation. We are all on a global pandemic boat ride. Aboud must snap out of his daydream. In many people’s reckoning, the views/opinions of his organisation on national issues are held above those of politicians’. Is there a plan to change that perception?

LLOYD RAGOO

Chaguanas