By: James Kamara-Manneh
Sierra Leone like other countries in the world is grappling with the deadly pandemic, Covid 19. It has been affecting the socio-economic fabric of both developing and under develops states. The myth around its origin is still unanswered.
The virus and its attendant drawbacks collide with pervasive corruption to bring a crunch effect. It has made our situation even worse.
One can understand the global dictated measures that he scourge has brought to bear. We are not a pariah state to have things our way but rather we are in a world community that must be compliant with basic norms of dealing with the virus. So we have been subjected to lockdowns, quarantine, social distancing, face basking, travel restrictions hand washing and even closed economies.
These are not unique to Sierra Leone; other nations have even harsher options of dealing with COVID 19.
Recently, the authorities of Sierra Leone announced a new lockdown of the capital Freetown and a night curfew imposed across the country to counter the “exponential” increase of Covid cases in the country. The inter district travel restriction that stopped vehicular flow to and from the capital Freetown was necessary as data shows that more than half of the cases of transmission are noted in the capital. This is certainly based on the fact more tests are done in the city than in other parts of the country.
After two weeks travelling ban has been lifted but other related measures are still intact. One particular disturbing measure that we must reflect on in terms its effects on the wider society is the ban on night clubs. Freetown residents are hardly coming to terms with this measures and we have heard cynical questions about whether COVID is more viral at night to be susceptible to transmission?
It sounds hilarious, but we can pause awhile to see the serious side of the issue, which is the propensity to generate crowd at night clubs. This is an undeniable situation, justifying the fears of COVID 19 transmission.
The existing curfew at 10pm is even the night economy sabotage that we have to live with. There are those in the informal and formal sector of the economy who are huge in numbers that have been put of business by this order.
We have to pay the price of the existing situation even as the government must find the cushioning measures that are sensitive to the welfare of the masses
For the figures are alarming with Sierra Leone noted as the last country in the sub region to record a positive case of the COVID-19 virus, on 31st March 2020. The country now records 3,785 as cumulative confirmed positive cases and above 2000 cumulative recoveries (NaCOVERC status update 7th February 2021).
It is important to note that the figures are those officially reported and based on tests done at COVID-19 related test facilities established by the government.
These implemented strategies by NaCOVERC should largely be regarded as proactive and innovative to prevent the pandemic from affecting more people.
But with time, we must have a balancing act to ensure that the measures for prevention are not counterproductive to the socio economic realities. In due course we must find a way of putting back the entertainment sector to business.
Evidence is that government is losing a lot during the past weeks, and it will continue if nothing is done. The question now will be is it possible for Covid-19 to be more deadly at night than day time?
Research affirms that this virus spreads through human interactions or contact, coughing i.e it spreads between people, mainly when an infected person is in close contact with another person. The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe heavily. These liquid particles are different sizes, ranging from larger ‘respiratory droplets’ to smaller ‘aerosols’. The virus can also spread after infected people sneeze, cough on, or touch surfaces, or objects, such as tables, doorknobs and handrails. Other people may become infected by touching these contaminated surfaces, then touching their eyes, noses or mouths without having cleaned their hands first. If we can go by the above explanations shows that people come in touch with each other mostly at day time.
The number of people plying the streets of Freetown cannot be commensurate to those at night. Therefore, if business centers are shot down at night and on weekend’s means our economy is asleep and less revenue will be generated, that’ll adds more burdens on our epileptic economy.
In the meantime, we must applaud government for its swift measures in curtailing this global menace. The stern measures have ensured that we are overwhelmed as it were in Ebola.
On the other, it is our duty as media practitioners who serve as watch dog of society to tell the stories of the suffering masses. Poverty is hitting the people hard now.
