Nigeria has confirmed its first case of Covid-19, our worse fear. But this is not the time to panic, the coronavirus could be highly contagious, but it is far less lethal than other infections we have successfully dealt with in the past, like SARS and Ebola. Covid-19 has only 2% death rate, with another 18 – 20% becoming critically hospitalized.
But the fact that it is highly contagious means high incidents of deaths in actual numbers.
Public health education is important in combatting the Covid-19 epidemic. It is important that people are highly sensitized and educated about the virus and how to handle potential or suspicious infections.
Our religious places, most importantly, should exercise extreme caution and desist from unorthodox miracle practices that could expose large populations to risks of infections.
I’m impressed by the press release from the ministry of health regarding the first confirmed case of the virus in Lagos. I’m happy that we didn’t learn about it on the pages of newspapers but through official channels. It is an important step towards full transparency.
Nigerians should be properly updated on the infection and what authorities are doing to contain and fight it via official channels.
As we have seen in other parts of the world, the attempt to suppress the truth or downplay the spread of the virus has only served to make matters worse.
Even as there is no need to panic, the fact that Covid-19 is confirmed in Nigeria is a big deal. In a country of over 200 million people and with weak health institutions, inadequate resources and poor public hygiene and health-seeking behavior, we should prepare for the worse and hope for the best.
Regular washing of hands (preferably with a sanitizer) is very important. Also, people should avoid coughing or sneezing in public. People experiencing persistent cough or sneezing should report themselves to the hospital for proper testing and isolation.
The government should stock large amounts of testing kits and masks, as the world is experiencing shortages in those supplies that are essential in diagnosing and containing the virus. Precaution, they say, is better than cure.
Covid-19 vaccine is still some months away and the disease effects, if not properly contained, could be devastating to our economic and social life. As was the case with Ebola, I believe we can also handle this better than the world expected of us.
By Ahmed Musa Hussaini
