COVID 19: The truest sign of fear is the sound of silence. In Nigeria, a country with a population of over 200 million people scattered in different States and cities, for once, there are no signs of packed buses, some restaurants and shopping malls resemble abandoned movie sets –their windows shuttered and doors chained shut.
The scenes of a calm mask a quiet frenzy. Nigerians learned last week that contrary to government millipede nature of combating coronavirus coupled with some lawmakers and senators testing positive to the virus, the country is harbouring hundreds of coronavirus patients and there’s no point living in denial again.
It has been nearly four months since the coronavirus outbreak emerged and more than six weeks since the illness spread from its birthplace in Wuhan, China. Yet, with nearly 250,000 reported cases and more than 10,000 deaths with Italy recording more cases and more deaths, there is an irresistible fear in the world, enough to declare the disease a pandemic.
It should be noted that Covid 19 has ruined most world economies, even the tourist trade of most regions and it has nearly bankrupted airlines with panic spreading through some of the world’s largest countries.
In Nigeria, thousands of people have gone into self-isolation, withdrawing into their homes in an attempt their homes, bosses have given a nod to employees to work remotely in an attempt to protect workers and themselves against a disease that has killed untold numbers with no cure in sight.
Many who can’t stay indoors venture outside wearing a protective mask and hand gloves, gatherings of more than 20 people have been stopped. The President has finally addressed the country even though he christened the disease another name but everyone understands that there is a new virus in town and survival rate depends on the personal hygiene of your neighbor, partner and friends.
With Nigeria recording one death so far, a 67-year-old male who returned home following medical treatment in the UK. There is a clear reason why National Youth Service Corps Members were asked to vacate campsites so that local transmission of the virus can be curtailed.
READ ALSO: Abba Kyari Tests Positive to COVID 19
In some States, civil servants in non-essential roles have been asked to work from home for at least two weeks. However, with some senators and House of Representatives members refusing to self-isolate after returning from their foreign trips, there is a reason to suspect that the government are continuing to cover the extent of the crisis.
How to Stay Safe This Period
There is no gain pressing the panic button as it might lead to several deaths. Last week, a man died of chloroquine overdose after it was alleged that the drug can cure the virus. To stay safe this period, personal stay at home if you can and wash your hands regularly. Use alcohol-based sanitizers and if you suspect you’ve had contacts with someone with the virus, then self-isolate yourself.
COVID 19 may have started in Wuhan China, but its impact –economic and otherwise –is rippling around the world, spreading even faster than the virus that causes it. Also, no matter how long it takes Nigeria to overcome COVID 19, that’s an indictment from which the country’s leaders may never recover for failing to shut the borders on time and ban international flights when it was needed most.
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