Recent public expressions by the United National Congress to get their constituents and those who support the party to take vaccines are exactly what is needed at this time.
The Opposition, functioning in its role within a democratic state, has made many pronouncements throughout the pandemic, which, from their points of view, were necessary for the better handling of the pandemic.
These viewpoints, particularly the ones highly condemnatory of the Government and health workers, led many to believe the Opposition was not supporting the drive for vaccinations enough.
In many cases, the party took positions against types of vaccines being brought into T&T at given times.
But several of the party’s Members of Parliament, most recently Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, have since not only called for people to get vaccinated but have gone further by leading vaccination campaigns within their constituencies.
Moonilal’s constituency is within County Victoria, which, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram, has the highest rate of COVID-19 infections, representing 28.7 per cent of all cases.
Moonilal last week said among community groups in his constituency, volunteers were being mobilised to offer transportation and assistance at vaccination sites and that not a day goes by where he isn’t urging individuals and groups, including religious and faith-based organisations, village groups and non-governmental organisations, to access vaccinations. Other methods, Moonilal said, have included public loudspeaker announcements and mobilisation of cultural icons to promote vaccinations.
As an MP and senior UNC member, Moonilal’s action must be commended. Taking vaccination drives to the granular level by doing the groundwork in constituencies is extremely necessary at this pivotal time. Other UNC members in Dr Lackram Boodoe and party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar have also recently vocalised the need for citizens to vaccinate.
We view this as a positive for the country and the Opposition’s recognition that there are simply some things that require unity among all parliamentarians. At the same time, we believe this is something the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) in Tobago must adopt.
The CMO’s data shows that Tobago currently accounts for 10.4 per cent of all infections. With new cases and deaths rising, there is also high vaccine hesitancy on the island.
As the Tobago House of Authority and health officials continue to push for more people to be vaccinated, the PDP should also show itself as a driver of vaccinations among the island’s population.
In the last THA election, the party won seats in some of the most rural communities on the island, the places where effective vaccination strategies are needed most. There must be a clear understanding that saving lives trumps other ambitions and the best way to do so is by following the scientific data that shows vaccinations drastically reduce the number of serious illnesses and deaths.
It’s no secret that constituents more readily listen to their representatives and party above all other authorities.
Educating and helping the very people one is elected to represent is the very basis on which representational parliaments were founded.
Like the UNC has been doing, we urge the PDP to also take the drive to the community, knowing their input at this time is just what the doctor ordered.