Public health cannot be fodder for political gain

Dear Editor,

Is there any issue that is safe from politics? It appears not in Jamaica.

I believe the discourse about chikungunya has been very irresponsible from the standpoint of the political football that it has become. Many Jamaicans are being misled just so that people can take cheap political shots even to the point of pretending to be ignorant of the issues so that they can spread misinformation.

We have to allow the health authorities to lead the process. If there is an issue, the responsible thing to do, as a politician, is to meet with the authorities and sort it out there.

I find that approach disrespectful to the people because it assumes that we do not know any better and it takes advantage of those who don't. I urge politicians to choose carefully the issues that they make a part of their campaign tools. An approach that will potentially harm people's health should not be one of them. Do not create political noise around the issues.

In this time, where chikungunya is spreading in Jamaica, teach your constituents about personal responsibility and their role to reduce the spread and secure their own health.

Cavelle Gordon

Westmoreland

cagice1@yahoo.com

Public health cannot be fodder for political gain

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