Dear Editor,

I am appealing to the nation’s politicians to stop perpetuating the ignorance among the population. The handling and manipulation of the chikungunya situation is but an example of the danger that politics can pose to people’s health and well-being. Instead of assisting in the process, our elected representatives cloud the real issues to try to discredit the Ministry of Health.

People need to start listening to the messages that will assist in reducing the spread of chikungunya. Instead, they are told about garbage collection, gullies and drain-cleaning. While these issues are important, people are made to think that these issues are directly related to the spread of the chikungunya virus. They are not, and only add to the refusal or ignorance with respect to getting rid of the right mosquito-breeding sites.

The particular type of mosquito that spreads chikungunya breeds in containers. These containers are found in and around the home and other places where people usually congregate. In addition, gullies and drains need cleaning regularly because people throw garbage in them. If politicians really want to help, as they claim they do, help to educate the population about what they really need to do to secure their health and stress their personal responsibility to do so. Spend less time criticising and instead contribute to the solution.

Paul Richards

Kingston

richipauly@gmail.com