Let’s get serious with COVID-19 threat

Ghana is being celebrated globally for its far reaching measures put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among its population.

In spite of this, since the partial lockdown was lifted on April 19, 2020, COVID-19 cases in the country are rising and the expected curve seems not to be flattening any time soon.

COVID-19 counts

As of today, the total number of infections stand at 4,700, with 22 deaths, five critically ill and 494 recoveries.

It has been eight weeks since the country began a co-ordinated, enhanced response towards combating the pandemic, but, unfortunately, it appears a large section of society does not still believe that COVID-19 exists at all, for which reason they doubt its spread.

Shocking videos

Most shocking is the video of a female politician, Madam Akua Donkor, the Leader of the Ghana Freedom Party, that has gone viral. In that video, Madam Donkor is seen casting doubt on the existence of the COVID-19 and challenging all and sundry not to pay heed to any directive or protocols around the spread of the virus.

Another video shows two other women challenging some policemen who were enforcing the government’s directive to wear nose masks and keep to physical distancing currently in place to curb the spread of the virus.

Very surprisingly, the two women blatantly tell the police that there is no COVID-19, quoting Christian scriptures to buttress their point.

What is coming out clearly is that in many instances, people are just being reckless, abusive or simply irresponsible, and it will take the police to enforce the directives and adherence to safety tit-bits.

Outdoor events

In spite of incessant appeals and education on the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on public gathering, as well as the directive on physical distancing, many outdoor events are also coming up in recent times.

Last Saturday, the Ga Mantse was inducted as the President of the Ga Traditional Council at a ceremony which was so difficult for physical distancing to prevail.

Not too long ago, the Okuapehene was also inducted in a similar function.

Funerals are gradually coming up, and in all instances, it is increasingly becoming very difficult for physical distancing and restrictions on public gathering to be upheld.

These happenings are worrying, in view of the fact that the COVID-19 is so real and the threat critical, requiring that no one underestimate it, even as we look forward to the loosening of the directives in place.

Not normal times

As President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said many times, these are not normal times. All of us must understand that and act as such.

The health crisis facing us is not going down or away any time soon.  COVID-19 is real, scary and cannot be wished away. We do so at our own peril.

Restrictions enhanced

That is why I find it so relieving that the President has extended the current restrictions imposed on social or public gatherings after the timeline  expired on May 10, 2020.

As we look forward and hope to seeing an early end to these restrictions some day, we must all stay alert, as COVID-19 is not a respector of persons, nor is it a one-man sickness like diabetes of cancer — when one person is infected, he or she can easily infect others through its rapid spread.

President’s pain

The President pointed out in his ninth public broadcast  that the restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic has impacted negatively on all sectors and the lives of people.

“Operators of trotros, taxis, buses, markets, hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs have lost the patronage of their clients, and, as a result, lost much needed incomes; significant numbers of people have, unfortunately, lost their jobs because of the impact of the virus on our economy; most of us want to hang out with our families, friends and loved ones in a social setting, but cannot.” 

This is so true, but the threat posed by the virus is still real, critical and no one must toy or underestimate it.

Collectively, we have a responsibility to protect ourselves first and the rest of society from any infections. We can do so by adhering to all the safety and health protocols already in place to curb the spread of this dangerous virus.

At the end of the day, let it be said that after the ‘war’, we counted and no one was missing.

Email: kobby.asmah@graphic.com.gh