Arts from Africa

“Stay at home,” has gained a global phrase status in recent history given the imposition of ’21-day lockdowns’ across the world because of the novel Covid-19. The virus has championed many atrocities in the world from China to the remotest places your mind can fathom. Even the HIV/AIDS pandemic does not compare to the supersonic speed this Covid-19 virus is engaged in. As a speaker, it has come to my attention that there is laxity and complacency with regards to lockdown regulations especially amongst urban dwellers and this piece seeks to appeal to the general populace to reconsider our demeanour during the lock down and have a paradigm shift in focus towards this deadly virus and the importance of our health.

With the virus’ inception in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the world has recorded record fatalities and the worst hit nations outside China being Italy, Spain, the USA, India, South Africa and Egypt just to name a few. So as to curb the wanton spread of this deadly virus, the governments have, in unison, sanctioned 21-day lockdowns which will ensure to decongest the hotspots of possible Covid-19 infestations.

The Covid-19 is a killing behemoth with the potency to wipe out humankind in no time. With that being said, it’s no time for complacency folks as any margin for error might have mortal implications on the human race. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has prescribed measures that might help stop this pandemic and these include washing your hands regularly with soap and sanitising them, wearing a mask to cover your nose and mouth since the virus is air-borne and keeping a social distance.

From the 30th of March, Zimbabwe joined the global band wagon of imposing a 3-weeks lockdown but to my or should I say to everyone’s surprise, some citizens have put a ‘lock down’ on the imposed lockdown. I for one concur with the notion that a lockdown is not an ideal setup because it disrupts our daily routines. You might be a student or a worker who, on a normal week goes to school and work respectively but what happened to us prioritising our health over everything? Barely days after the announcement of a lockdown, urban residents have been going about and not minimising their movements, increasing their chances of contracting and spreading the virus. Gatherings are still the order of the day and queues at supermarkets are appalling and the stipulated 1 metre apart is just a statement not taken seriously. There is still jostling at the entrances.

Is it a case of the civilians not comprehending why a lockdown was imposed in the first place or it is pure defiance of ‘orders’? What about social distancing? Are we observing that or our need of the precious maize meal overshadowing our duty to keep ourselves and our loved ones free from this airborne virus? The shaking of hands and hugging is part of our daily lives but why cannot we, for the cessation of the spread of Covid-19 stop it for a bit? Is a locked down impractical in Zimbabwe given the state of things in the country? Many survive on a hand to mouth endeavour and hustle for food daily and that may be the reason why staying still at home is cumbersome. We only have one go at life people and now, healthy is primary and everything else is secondary. Let’s only go out for ‘essentials’.

I cannot believe that some of us are naïve enough to believe that the virus cannot be contracted by blacks. That is a hoax folks. The Covid-19 is real and deadly. Let’s not put a lockdown on lockdown because this is for our benefit. Let’s teach our children as well the need to practise hygiene and the importance of keeping a social distance during these trying times. This is because it is said that the virus cannot travel more than a metre so the social distancing minimises the chances to contract it. Let’s stay at home, self-quarantine, pray to God and follow all the health guidelines prescribed to us.

Lastly, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands as the virus might be in your hands and you transfer it to these critical body organs. Weigh in your thoughts on this post on lockdown and Covid-19. Engage with me on social media and let’s discuss this.