By Tayo Ogunbiyi
The signs are not too pleasant. Big parties are back in full force. So are also large gatherings. There is utter disregard for social distancing. The use of facemasks has been discarded. We embrace and shake hands at will. All of a sudden, we seem to be acting as if the deadly virus no longer exists.
Sadly, as we imprudently tread the path of complacency, the pandemic is not really in a hurry to leave. It is even giving birth to deadlier variants. For the virus, there is still more land to conquer. Stakeholders have raised the alarm of a possible third wave of COVID-19 across the globe. This followed a sharp increase in the number of positive cases recorded in the last few weeks.
In Lagos State, for instance, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently disclosed that the state’s daily cases of COVID-19 confirmation had shot up to 6.6 per cent over a period of one week.
The governor stated that from the beginning of July, there was a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate going from 1.1% at the end of June to its current rate of 6.6% as of July 8.
This rapid increase should give every well-meaning individual serious cause for concern. Perhaps, more alarming is the revelation that within the past few weeks, the occupancy rate at Lagos’ two isolation centres increased from an average of 1% to 6%. This is a troubling reality that must not be treated casually.
Experts have linked the sad trend to the uncaring approach of travellers from countries in the “high risk” zones as well as the careless attitude of the residents to adhere to the protective protocols issued by the government after the end of the second wave.
In his recent briefing on the Lagos’ COVID-19 situation, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that 18 per cent of 50,322 air passengers of interest, who arrived in Lagos via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), could not be reached for COVID-19 status monitoring by EKOTELEMED because they supplied wrong contact details.
Also, quite disturbing is the confirmation of a highly contagious Delta variant of the virus in the country. According to experts, the deadly Delta variant, which has been detected in at least 105 countries globally, is now becoming prevailing and it is rapidly spreading. Now, the fear is that it could become predominant in African countries if unimpeded.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, has equally expressed fears about the Delta variant as well as the possibility of the rise of other new or unknown COVID-19 variants. WHO said the Alpha and Beta variants are already in 173 and 122 countries respectively, while the Gamma variant is in 74 nations.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned that emerging COVID-19 variants like the Delta variant are winning the race against available vaccines. Tedros lamented that several countries are experiencing a remarkable increase in cases. According to him, it is rather ironic that many nations are already doing away with public health measures “as though the pandemic is already over.”
In Nigeria, considering our fragile public health system, we should logically be concerned about the risk of a third wave of the pandemic. It is, therefore, rather disturbing that a larger percentage of our people are acting as if things are absolutely normal.
The reality of the COVID-19 situation, no doubt, calls for great caution among compatriots, especially Lagosians. Being the epicentre of the pandemic, Lagos, especially, and other cosmopolitan cities in the country must not be exposed to tendencies that could spark the third wave of COVID-19.
We must, thus, be all resolute in our stand against the virus. Caution must remain our watchword. No soldiers celebrate in the midst of an inconclusive battle. It is in our own interest to willingly comply with all regulations designed by the appropriate bodies to contain the spread of the virus.
This is the time for those saddled with the safeguarding of our borders to be patriotic and vigilant. The Immigration and Customs, especially, must keep their eyes on visitors coming into the country. They must ensure a seamless working relationship with the frontline responders stationed at all ports of entry across the country to ensure in-bound travellers adhere to laid down COVID-19 protocols.
Relevant authorities are also enjoined to sanction in-bound air passengers that fail to provide verifiable contact details, including accessible phone numbers they can be reached for monitoring. Such passengers should face prosecution, including fines and imprisonment in line with the relevant law.
The situation at hand requires reactivation of full compliance with all protective protocols already outlined by the government. There should be compulsory use of face masks in all public places, while also the social distancing protocol must also be strictly adhered to. Also, we should not compromise on compulsory temperature checks, provisions for hand-washing and sanitizers, and a maximum of 50 per cent occupancy in enclosed spaces.
Besides the need for sanctioning, it is important to enjoin Nigerians to take personal responsibility for their health. The ultimate responsibility for our safety lies in our hands. The pandemic is not yet over, irrespective of what we think. Therefore, we need to step up personal safety measures and precautions. Families must deliberately speak about it at homes, while schools and working places must religiously champion it.
This is not the time to be careless. This is not the time to let down our guard. If we choose to be undaunted in the midst of a raging battle, we will not only hurt our nation, but our families too because the virus has no respect for anyone.
Taking personal responsibility is our duty; we have to change our orientation. The time to take responsibility is now! The onus lies on us to take personal responsibility. Wear your facemask appropriately. It is not a chin mask! Adhere to social distancing rules, wash hands regularly and keep to all safety guidelines.
According to history, the Spanish flu of 1918 claimed many lives in the first wave, but as soon as the lockdown was relaxed people began to gather again, hug, shake hands and before they realised the second wave claimed 10 times more people.
To prevent a third wave of COVID-19 cases and forestall our healthcare system being overwhelmed, we all need to take responsibility and follow strict hygiene practices. We should not frustrate the government’s effort in containing the virus.
Let us all take responsibility for keeping everyone safe.
- Ogunbiyi is Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
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