June 25, 2021
Albert Baron Ansu
The delta strain of COVID 19 has caught the world scene in an influenza that is so panicky. Great nations are catching the chilling effect what can do as fragile nations?
When we were expecting that we have made considerable progress against the virus in breakthroughs of inoculation, here we are witnessing double and triple digits of cases.
Inbound, outbound travels, clustering of people in compromise of social distancing are the combinative factors that have reversed the gains in rolling back the virus.
Once again our structural fragility has been exposed and in such a circumstance we become prone to bungling in dealing with the situation. The first of such misstep is the notice for compulsory vaccine with the age bracket of thirty and above.
This is a serious issue of national concern and the better we put on thinking caps that reflect considerate decision making rather being knee jerk and jittery the better the outcome. As it is the NaCOVERC sanctions regarding taking of the jab is in conflict with human rights. Compelling people to take the vaccine when there are limited centers is one grave unfairness. Then we consider the mixed stories about side effects from different people and one reported death that has become a subject of investigation.
This has become the biggest debacle to our containment effort and it is going to take immense tact in risk communication to have people get out of the fears, suspicion and denial frame of mind.
A repressive regimen of controlling the transmission rate and dropping the numbers is bound to be counterproductive. Let us marshal more resources to for instance avoid the embarrassment of stopping people from entering the Youyi Ministerial building and other public offices when the excuse is thrown at us that no available card to issue out to those willing to take it.
The seriousness of the situation and uncertainty about the trend is telling us that we are nearing lockdown in the face of rising figures. The harsh reality of accommodating some inconveniences is inescapable, where we are confused as a nation about resolving the current national emergency without violating human rights.
For we must ask ourselves what is the current drastic responsive measures doing to dropping the figures. Nothing much evident in dropping the rising figures. It is an indication that we have to try other options that have human face. Create believability about the safety of the vaccines Astra Zeneca and other stuff, bring in more to be adequate for roll out in mobile teams rather than the limited spaces created to cause work inertia and livelihood challenges for especially poor people eking out a living on a daily basis.
But the truth is vaccines are supposed to be immune boost against the virus not a curative property. Stories of heart inflation as side effect reported in the international media is an added source of phobia. The scientists have to rise to the occasion and proffer other options to get out of the conundrum capable of pushing back into economic recession. And Africa as a continent needs to come out with homegrown initiatives to respond to our peculiar realities.