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At a time nations are working round-the-clock to eliminate and contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease [COVID-19] by ensuring strict enforcement of government policies especially the stay-at-home order which has become a global approach sort of, some Nigerian governors are busy relaxing the lockdown that was largely disrespected in the first place.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Michel Yao, the Africa programme manager for emergency response of the World Health Organisation (WHO) at a media teleconference on Thursday predicted that African countries could see a peak in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks and testing should be urgently increased in the region.
“During the last four days, we can see that the numbers have already doubled. If the trend continues, and also learning from what happened in China and in Europe, some countries may face a huge peak very soon,” he said, adding that it could arrive in the coming weeks, but without naming countries.
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It was also as part of desperate measures to contain the spread of the virus in Nigeria that President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, March 29 in his nationwide broadcast imposed a two-week lockdown on flagged areas like Lagos, Ogun and Abuja. However, as complementary efforts, other states with few confirmed cases of the virus also pronounced a lockdown to keep the numbers low since body contact with an infected person happens to be one of the easiest ways to contact the virus. TNG reports that as at 9:30 pm on Friday, April 10, Nigeria has 305 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 58 have been discharged with 7 deaths.
Danger in relaxing lockdown for Easter, other religious activities
Nothing can be as worrisome as the decision of some governors to relax the self imposed curfew in their states aimed at preventing or reducing the spread of the virus. While it is true that some of the concerned states either have low or no confirmed coronavirus case, however, prevention has always been better than cure. For states that have not closed their borders, an innocently infected person could gain entrance into the state from a high risk neighbouring state and mix with as many people as possible during this period of ‘free movement’. This was the case of a transiting infected person that eventually died in Delta on Thursday.
Confirming the development, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said: “I have just been informed of another case of #COVID19 in Delta State. The individual in question, had underlying health issues and had visited Lagos State in the past two weeks. The patient presented himself late to one of our hospitals with severe symptoms.
“These symptoms included difficulty in breathing. He was immediately given the necessary attention by healthcare professionals. Shortly after the specimen was taken, he passed away. However, his test results came back positive today.
“In order to mitigate against the spread of the virus, we are fast-tracking our contact tracing to ensure that all those that came in contact with the deceased patient are properly isolated and tested immediately.
“Again, it is important that as we work to protect the citizens and residents of our state, families and friends of individuals that are exhibiting the primary symptoms of the #COVID19 virus, do not keep it from the authorities. If you see something; say something.”
One can only imagine the catastrophe that would have happened if the scenario above played out in one of the state during this suspension of the curfew.
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TNG reports that already, states, such as Imo, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Bayelsa and Abia, which earlier imposed restrictions, relaxed them on Wednesday.
Ebonyi State government granted a partial restoration of religious activities in the state.
The government relaxed the ban on burials by giving those in the state between April 9 and 20 to bury their dead loved ones.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma said residents were free to shop today for Easter.
Also yesterday, Abia State government announced a two-day intra-state movement.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, said residents were free to move about on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to enable them to shop and perform other religious activities in commemoration to Easter.
Rivers State Government also temporarily relaxed the restrictions.
In a broadcast on Thursday, Governor Nyesom Wike said the directive permits the Muslim community to observe their Jumaat Prayers today, while Christians can hold Easter services on Sunday.
Bayelsa State government also relaxed its lockdown measures for Easter celebrations.
Governor Duoye Diri’s Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said the measure was specific to church services during the Easter celebration.
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello lifted the ban on religious grounds.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said it was to allow religious bodies to have their normal worship, but called for caution.
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa also on Friday relaxed the lockdown with some conditions attached. Katsina State Governor who had earlier relaxed the lockdown was forced to enforce it again on Friday with three new cases of coronavirus discovered in Daura Local Government of the state.
Relaxing lockdown will fuel transmission – NMA warns governors
Sensing danger in the action of the governors and an outbreak that it personnel might not be able to handle, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) warned state governments against relaxing the lockdown orders saying the relaxation will only heighten the transmission of the virus, as there are evidences of community transmission in the country.
In a statement on Friday in Abuja, the President of the NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile said: “The attention of the Nigerian Medical Association has been drawn to some isolated statements negating the established measure of preventing COVID-19 – social distancing; and orders by some state governors authorising the mass observance of Jumat prayers and Easter Sunday services.
“Of particular concern are: the declaration by the Cross River State Governor that social distancing is not needed while wearing a face mask; a moratorium on the lockdown to allow mass gathering in mosques and churches starting from Friday to Sunday in Rivers state; and the lifting of the ban on Friday prayers by Katsina and Kogi States government.
“We are aware that similar orders have also been given in Ondo, Ebonyi and Imo states which have approved mass attendance of Easter services.
“While appreciating the prime place of religion in our national lives and especially the value Christians place on Easter, we place on record that there is now the evidence of community transmission of COVID-19.
“As such, relaxing any guideline that promotes mass gatherings in any part of our nation now can only heighten and not flatten the curve of transmission dynamics.
“We therefore pray all authorities concerned to rescind their decision in the interest of safety of lives and implore the Nigerian Police force and other security agencies ensure that such gatherings do not take place.”
Nigerians still skeptical of COVID-19
Meanwhile, a large section of the populace, particularly the unread, still bask in the euphoria of ‘I am not rich, the disease cannot catch me’. This is despite the public service announcements on radio, television, online and offline newspapers and social media.
A public relations expert, Olusegun Kugbayi while suggesting ways of better reaching the uninformed said: “The question is how many people in the rural areas have access to the internet, radio and television. We look down on some of these things as common or basic because we are in the city. To reach these people government, particularly the states and local must work with the traditional rulers and also deploy town criers to the villages and communities where access to electricity and broadcast media is still luxury.
If state governments implement their ugly decision to impose a curfew, the doubting Nigerians will be convinced in his ignorance the more that the COVID-19 is not real. Because truly it sound logically to question that ‘Why relax preventive measures if its real? Does the virus identify holidays as holy as it may be?,” he queried.
FG hints on possibility of lockdown extension
TNG reports that the lockdown which took full effect on Tuesday, March 31 is supposed to last till Tuesday, April 14. The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force against COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha recently said only President Buhari can decide and extend the lockdown if need be. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has also warned that the lockdown might be extended if Nigerians refused to comply with the stay at home orders.
“If we don’t behave ourselves, there is a likelihood that the lockdown will be extended,” the Minister said at a press conference by the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus in Abuja recently.
Lai Mohammed urged Nigerians to observe social distancing and a good hygiene, so everyone can get back to their normal lives after the 14-day lockdown.
Lai Mohammed continued, “but if we behave ourselves, there might not be an extension and I hope we do so.
“If we stay at home for two weeks, and we are doing everything we are supposed to do, we should be able to effectively contain the disease.
“Therefore, my appeal to Nigerians is that they should obey the directive on social distancing, personal hygiene and shun gatherings; after two weeks, we will resume our normal life.
“But if they think it is a joke, then we may have to stay at home more than the two weeks.”
Borrowing a leaf from South Korea
The head of the religious sect that has been at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea, Lee Man-hee recently apologised to his nation for the disease’s spread.
Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, got on his knees and bowed at a news conference on Monday, March 2nd.
Then, about 60% of the country’s more than 4,000 confirmed cases were sect members. Deaths nationwide then stood at 28. However, as at Friday, 10 April, the country has recorded 10,450 cases with 208 deaths and 7,117 recovered.
Prosecutors in South Korea have been asked to investigate Mr Lee on possible charges of gross negligence.
“Although it was not intentional, many people have been infected,” said the 88-year-old leader. “We put our utmost efforts, but were unable to prevent it all.”
Of the confirmed cases, about 75% are from the southern city of Daegu and 73% of those have been linked to the Shincheonji Church.
In the capital, Seoul, the mayor urged the city’s 10 million residents to work from home and to avoid crowded places.