Seriously now, with over 2,500 covid19-driven deaths and 83,000 cases within two years, it is time to take stock. We may compare our death rate with other countries, but my immediate emphasis here is the frightening jump from last April to now in the number of both covid19 cases and deaths.

Given the concerns expressed by nurses, doctors, covid19 patients and, more precisely, the deficient physical and treatment conditions at the hospitals, the time has come to take serious stock. With omicron and new viral mutations coming upon us, the government must prepare in terms of effective management, prevention and treatment and accountability.

The PM must move into a higher vision of national politics - beyond Health Minister Deyalsingh's press conferences. The PM is in charge. He appoints, he dismisses and is accountable.

Covid19 management is now a public responsibility matter, far beyond small-time partisan politics and self-serving postures. This is not about the next election. This is about the health, life and death of tax-paying citizens. Taking stock is in the interest of the government itself and the public. It means the quickened establishment of an independent oversight body of professionals (example medicine, management, accountancy) to examine what works, what is not working and why, and fix things quickly. As a responsible government, treat it with the urgency required. It was Dr Rowley who publicly said, 'We are all in this together.'

Well, act accordingly.

People cannot be dying so every day, especially when they go for treatment in the hospital. Imagine, 32 deaths in one day! The forensics and handling of the dead bodies are also very troubling matters. It was very surprising to hear that our funeral agencies are not properly registered. The government has a sworn constitutional duty to fix these things. Every covid19 problem cannot be so easily dumped upon the unvaccinated.

The evidence shows that while vaccination does have some preventive value, it is no miracle cure.

Further, the lack and twisting of covid19 information by the authorities bother the public.

Part of the failure to achieve higher success rates in both vaccination and treatment is that the whole covid19 matter started here with too much one-sided politics. It looked too much like a 'government thing.'

Of course, the executive (government), with taxpayers' money and its oath of office, has the duty to lead. But this covid19 matter - its scope, implications and severe consequences - was and still is an unprecedented national challenge for everybody. It requires a different, more mature type of national leadership.

Around March last year, I publicly commended the health minister and government for their initial efforts. But I then noticed that as the covid19 problems expanded and got more serious, the adversarial politics got increasingly obstructive, making strongly advisable a more productive, politically-bipartisan approach in the public interest.

So around last May I wrote: 'With supporting health services