As It is meet and right to praise God for this wonderful season, so also it is worthy and right for us to wish ourselves Merry Christmas and Happy and prosperous 2021 now. The pomp and pageantry have commenced in earnest. Buying and selling activities have come to live again in markets as regulars and seasonal shoppers move from one market to the other. Intra and intercity, intra and intertown, intra and intervillage movements are all ascending, adding more pressure to the traffic logjams on our roads.
In the midst of the Yuletide celebrations this time around is the return of Corona Virus. Nigeria has entered a second wave of coronavirus infections. The number of COVID-19 cases detected in the country in the past two weeks indicates that a second wave of the outbreak has begun, said Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. A NAN report said that as of Dec. 17, 2020, 1,145 new confirmed cases and one death were recorded in the country.
Yes, it is true that vaccines against the deadly virus have been developed, but Nigeria wouldn’t access the vaccine until January 2021. Our people say “thoroughly roasted dog meat is sweet, but what do we eat before it is done”. The January access to vaccine timeline is not even certain as there are reports that funding might be a big clog in its wheel. So, what should we do to minimize the spread of Covid 19 this second time accessing the vaccine?
Lockdown was a very effective strategy in the last wave. But now there is no lockdown. People are freely moving about everywhere in the country. The markets are buzzling again. The ‘owambe’ and other ceremonies that were locked out in the 2nd & 3rd quarter of the year by lockdown have been rescheduled to this yuletide. People were coming out in large numbers since the removal of lockdown but what we have on the roads and streets now is season’s inspired overcrowding.
Corona virus spreads very fast amidst crowd; With overcrowding it will spread like wildfire. With the return of COVID19, Boss Mustapha said Nigeria is at risk of losing not only the gains from the hard work of the last nine months but also the lives of citizens.
Nigeria loss enough lives to the first wave of Covid 19, once bitten, they say, twice shy, no Nigerian(s) should be allowed to die of the infection again. We need to do everything to protect ourselves against the pandemic, else Boss Mustapha’s warning will come to pass. We need to embrace all caution and go extra mile to put personal measures to mitigate the COVID-19 infection, even as we celebrate yuletide.
The most potent weapon against the attack of COVID-19 is self-isolation. This could be very difficult to achieve against the backdrop of free movement of people, goods and services, even as we gear up preparation for the festivities. But your live must be important to you and your loved ones. As practicable as possible spend less time outside. When you are outside, observe social distancing and of course wear a mask.
It is customary for families to do shopping for xmas and new year celebrations. Markets, like we noted, are already in buzzling mode, but with the return of COVID19, it’s not in your interest to join the crowd. Do less physical shopping. Afterall, technology has simplified things, take advantage of technology and do online shopping from the comfort of your home.
Whether you buy things online or from the physical market make sure you take them through standard hygiene.
Nigerians survived the scourge of the first pandemic by using medicinal plants roots, stems, leaves and fruits to fortify themselves. Dongoyaro trees, literally, were stripped naked by people that cut the leaves and peel the stems for COVID-19 remedy.
Consumptions of ginger and garlic both in liquid and solid form, lime and lemon with hot water all went overboard for COVID 19 challenge. Concocted herbal foods and drinks also proved very useful. As you put things in place for the yuletide, don’t forget the herbal remedies.
To remain COVID 19 free during this yuletide and beyond, do the following always:
-Stay away from people
– Practice hand hygiene.
– Wear a mask when you go out in public. If everybody just had a mask on we would dramatically cut transmission.”
Dr. Greg Poland, professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the Mayo Clinic, US said “you simply cannot get infected with this virus unless you breathe it in, or you touch an infected surface and then touch your eyes, nose and mouth,” Poland says. “If you prevent breathing it in, and you prevent touching any contaminated surface and then touching your face, you cannot get infected.
The best thing that we can do before accessing the vaccine is to prevent infections.
Nice information,keep it up sir.. stay safe
It might be right to say the locals, are well fortified with the herbs and roots, hence low/nil numbers, in the statistics!
Yes,coronavirus is back, and deadlier,too. This is heightened by the lack-lustre attitude of our people and, of course,the insensitivity of our governments, at all levels
Governments’ responsiveness will reduce the apprehension of the people about sustenance and well-being
For me,it is not all about vaccines,the western way but about palliatives,the western way.
“Ebi kii pa nu koro mi wo.”