COVID-19: The Stubborn, Unwanted Visitor

By: Ridwanullahi Odofin

It was a beautiful morning in my city, Ilorin, when I walk down the street to savour the fresh out of the press daily newspapers. I stumbled upon a man in his early 30s, and we exchanged pleasantries. He led procession to where the newspapers were being displayed as ‘catcher’ at the vendor and I followed him from the back. Upon seeing one of those news of the second wave of COVID-19 widely displayed on the front page, he threw up. ” _Kasala ti burst, Kasala ti burst_ , we are at it again!”. He exclaimed in disbelief, before he darted towards another direction.

It was a show of frustration from this young man. He couldn’t believe there could be an aftermath of the deadly virus. However, could it be that we are in for another doomsday in our various houses? With retrospect, the trajectory of Covid 19 pandemic, of course, which has not been rosy, one can clearly admit that it was a hell of ride. Of recent weeks, it seems that we are into the second wave of the of the novel corona virus disease.

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported a total of 3,820 penultimate week is a very striking figure. The is more to do if we are to go by the time when lockdown restrictions were lifted in October, with daily count averaging at less than 200 cases. Are we lurking at another lockdown? It is a matter of time.

Going by the trends in recent weeks, no fewer than 26 generals were reported to have contracted the disease after they attended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference in Abuja. Testing was mandatory for the participants at the conference following the death of Major-Gen. Olu Irefin, who was the General Officer commanding 6 division of Army in Port Harcourt, of COVID-19 related complications. He had fallen ill at the meeting and was taken to the hospital where he was tested positive for COVID-19. He eventually died while receiving treatment.

Coincidentally the same week, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Samwo-Olu tested positive for the virus, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chair of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Control, Boss Mustapha along side his wife, moved into self-isolation after members of his household tested positive. So did Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong. That was a bit of the story.

The SGF said in a statement that the self-isolation with his wife was necessitated by safety precaution even though they both tested negative after some members we found positive. His message for Nigerian was very clear; to precaution serious and stay safe. What could be simpler?

COVID-19 is not a haox as presumed by some Nigerians. It is a tragedy. And to show how serious and devastating the second wave, about 20 doctors have also died from complications arising from the disease, the chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, FCT, chapter, Enema Amodu this while warning Nigerians.

Evidently, health workers are often at risk of exposure to infections including COVID-19 because they are the first respondents to patients. Although health workers have been advised to use full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before attending to patients. Although, many of them do not have the necessary equipment which makes them prone to the disease.

To every Nigerians and the rest of the world, COVID-19 has come to stay and we must learn to live by it. It has not only threatened our lives but also our general wellbeing. Schools, religious activities, businesses among others remain closed for along period of time leading to economic meltdown, while some other problem have also degenerated. We should realise our wrongs and try to live by it. It will help us till the end. Everyone of us are key actors in the fight against COVID-19, if only we do the needful.

For sure, there is always a need for medications to curtail the spread of the disease. But going by the situation we are, where millions of people have lost their lives, we should try to reduce the level of our physical activities, wash our hands regularly and be consistent in the use of our face mask. Only through this, we can have a safer environment if not perfect.

Although there have been cheering news about a couple of vaccine that could eventually become a game-changer, with the world having assurance of curbing the deadliest pandemic. Is this a sign of hope for us all? Time will tell.

Ridwanullahi is a Public Affairs Analyst and Senior Reporter at FactualTimes. He writes from Ilorin.