As much as the bright eras in the past that tantalized us to wish they were everlasting, on the flip side we did experience tragic unfolding for the swift termination of which we yearned. Famines accompanied by heavy death tolls, blatant aggressions that obligated the sacrifice of citizens on the altar of freedom and so many causalities of pandemics are but to mention the dark spots we got behind our back. The aforementioned tragic scenarios compounded by the economy in tatters had made the lives of citizens insufferable.
At this historic juncture, the pandemic COVID-19, spreading at an alarming rate, has become a bad omen that the coming months augur ill. The pandemic which reared its grotesque head in China and the rest of the world has knocked at the door of Africa. It has fast spread in over 50 countries in the continent. In light of the impact it inflicted on affluent countries that could live on their fat in cushioning aftershocks, it is not hard to surmise that unless we strictly abide by precautionary measures to forestall the heavy blows of the pandemic our economy dragging its last leg out of a quagmire could hardly square face the challenge. In so far as precautionary measures wedded with considerateness is there the country shall surmount the pitfall COVID-19 posed on humankind and people’s socioeconomic and cultural interactions as well as spiritual practices. Deploying a concerted effort is mandatory. The efficacy of this approach could not be gainsaid. The fact that an individual or his/her family could not manage to evade the brunt of the pandemic single alone must sink in. It is only when everybody exercises the precautionary measures and stays healthy the campaign of parrying the pandemic falls in the domain of possibility.
In other words, the healthiness of somebody nearby or someone a person crosses paths with is a necessary ingredient for the person and the person’s health. Hence, we have to take care of others as much as we take care of ourselves. Information emanating from MoA and Public Health Institute depict the number of people who are COVID-19 positive is snowballing by the day. Following this trend the federal government and state governments have been reacting accordingly. Letting employees accomplish their tasks at home barring the shuttling of commuters and vehicles from place to place and closing down of universities, among others, are the salient measures taken by the government. These measures are taken to ensure citizens keep physical distance and handshakes or contacts so as to strip the pandemic of its spreading power. Yet, the attention the general public gave to the problem pales in light of the effort the government is exerting to make them see to reason.
Observably, there is a lot to be desired here when it comes to keeping physical distance and avoiding risk inviting contacting. Still, it is not strange to see bars over brimming with barflies and market squares thronged by people. Schools are closed to avert the spread of the pandemic. Ironically though gamboling fields are replete with kids that ran amok. Government employees are allowed to see to their duties working at their respective homes though the country could incur some loss. This liberty is allowed to ward off the brunt of the pandemic. However, many reckless employees take the occasion as leave of absence and venture to visit relatives and friends. Such recklessness derails the move to contain the impact of the pandemic and circumvent rainy days.
Hence, such individuals must be checked in good time. Parallel to the precautionary measures considerateness and humility are decisive to cushion the repercussions of the pandemic. Negligent of a concerted push, circumventing a common and formidable challenge without a significant harm is unthinkable. This calls for shunning selfishness and shameful individualism. Therefore, currently extending a helping hand to casual workers or citizens that leads a hand-to-mouth life and putting oneself in fellow citizens’ shoe and helping out others fulfill basic necessities needed for trying times is a virtue much appreciated.
It is cognizant of the aforementioned risk the government opted to declare a State of Emergency to see to the strict observance of precautionary measures. Also purchasing and hoarding consumption goods apart from putting a strain on other citizens, it leaves the door ajar for gluttonous merchants to amass fortune to their heart’s content. This folly must come to end. The coupling of precautionary measures and considerateness goes a long way in fighting out COVID-19. Of course, making use of the resultant force of herbal medicine and science trying to arrest COVID-19 in home grown approach deserves a high five. The presence of Good Samaritan philanthropists willing to let their hotels for quarantines and vehicles for ambulances is heartwarming. Also health professionals rendering services round the clock risking their lives deserve a standing ovation.
The Ethiopian Herald April 12/2020
A stich in time saves nine
