By Julit Ogbodu
KWALE/Nigeria: With the daily rise in cases of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, residents of Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State had frowned at the numbers of announced cases of the virus in the state, as they had called it government way to attract financial sympathy.
Reacting to enquiry from this medium, the residents understanding of the situation is that of mixed feeling.
In Kwale, the general perception of a large percentage of the people we spoke to is that the virus situation is being over hyped. They only hear of rising figures of the virus cases in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country. They have not witnessed any positive case and so the reality of covid-19 has not really hit them.
Consequently, there was resistance to government order until law enforcement agents started arresting defaulters. People who wash their hands in public places, use sanitisers and who wear nose mask only do so just to fulfill all righteousness.
In the last few days, the police have arrested several persons who were not wearing the nose mask. This has compelled people to start wearing it. The issues of maintaining social distance is not being adhered to as people are living as though covid-19 is a fairy tale.
The virus as we are aware, gradually took the world unaware November 2019, and by March 2010, Nigeria had started closing some of its borders.
The virus which started from Wuhan in China, spreading like wild fire, killing hundreds of thousands of people around the world to the point that the very existence of humans was shaken to its roots. Even the developed countries of the world with their first class medical facilities found the virus too hot to handle.
As a way of reducing the spread of the virus, the government of various countries imposed a lock-down on economic activities. Here in Nigeria, schools were closed down, sporting activities were banned, movement was restricted with the exception of those on essential duties, even markets were closed down until recently when the lock-down was eased down.
Who knows how long this virus situation will take the centre stage in global news? Who knows when the coast will be clear enough for offices to resume normal duties, for schools to resume and for people to live freely like they use to? Only time will tell.
