Gail Alexander
It seems that T&T is "number last" in getting COVID vaccines in the region, United National Congress (UNC) deputy leader Jearlean John said last night.
John topped the bill of speakers at the UNC's Pavement Report meeting.
UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar who'd been advertised on a poster for the meeting was absent.
She was also absent for UNC's virtual report on Monday though she'd been advertised to speak then.
Earlier yesterday a statement was issued in Persad-Bissessar's name on Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and she'd been expected to elaborate on it at the meeting but she didn't show up.
John noted several regional leaders receiving COVID vaccines recently. That included Barbados and Dominica's leaders, "But we don't know when we'll get our vaccines..it seems we're number last. It's time something happens, especially if we're on this steep situation with the economy."
She said there was a "rumour" Government hadn't signed the purchase agreement and the Ministry of Health had to come with a schedule.
John said getting the vaccines was key to T&T's economic health also. She said some malls are graveyards now and women were hardest hit with job loss.
John said bankers were saying TT$13 to US$1 was the US exchange rate.
John said Andrea Bharatt's murder was the last straw in "a long list of evil" and the "final wake up call".
Other speakers emphasised Bharatt's murder and vigils that occurred in parts of T&T. They urged people to keep the "flames burning" to get change.
MP Barry Padarath said he'd met Bharatt's father "Daddy Bharatt" yesterday and told him to stand strong. An opposition activist has circulated information that the "national wake" for Bharatt which protestors held outside the Red House in recent nights, ends tonight "with the attendance of her family and father."
