Coronavirus In Nigeria: How Safe Are Women And Children?
The first case of coronavirus in Nigeria was confirmed today. The victim is said to be an Italian man who works in Nigeria and who was returning from Milan. He was said to have reached ogun state on Monday 24 February 2020, gone to his place of work and then to a guest house. He fell ill with fever on Wednesday 26th and was taken to the hospital where it was confirmed that he was carrying the virus.
He was then taken to Lagos where he is currently undergoing treatment. He is said to be in “stable condition” Previously, the Nigerian government had announced that they have put measures in place to contain the virus “if” it comes to Nigeria.
There has been no information about the other passengers on the plane or where they have traveled to. Efforts have been made to search for them and quarantine them to see if they also might have gotten infected due to close contact with the Italian man from Milan. The search continues but they might have even traveled out of Lagos already into other states in the federation. Going around hugging their friends and their loved ones, ignorant of the danger they pose to the public.
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What I don’t understand is why someone was allowed to fly into Nigeria from Italy which now has about 400 reported cases of Coronavirus. To make matters worse, that person traveled to Ogun state to Lafarge at Abeokuta Road which is just 2.8 kilometers from Lagos. To know that 2.8 kilometers is just 15 minutes of driving is scary because it shows how easy it could be for the virus to get into Lagos. This same Lagos has a population of 21 million people crammed into a small space and bumping into each other.
The same Lagos where even cars hug each other when they are driving through the road. In some parts of Lagos, if you cough from your house it could enter into your neighbor’s house. The same busy and fast-moving place where people hardly sleep or rest because they are moving to and fro from their homes to their jobs. A Coronavirus outbreak in Lagos would be devastating.
The same Lagos where thousands of people get stuck in traffic every day and thousands of other people walk in large groups on the pedestrian lane. What about the hundreds who come into Lagos daily and the hundreds that leave? Lagos is like a small country in itself and if you ask me, it is the worst place for an epidemic to happen.
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The Safety Of Women And Children
What is the fate of women and children in disease outbreaks? Women and children are vulnerable members of the society and prone to suffer more during epidemics because of the direct link between the mother and the public, the child and its playmates, and the mother and the child.
We all know that the Coronavirus affects the immune system of the victim and people die because their immune system is not strong enough to combat the virus. Our children are at high risk of getting the virus because they go to school every day to play with their mates. You cannot tell a child “there is Coronavirus, don’t play with your friend” because that child is not going to listen to you.
As they did in the time of the Ebola outbreak, schools should make provisions for their students and pupils to practice proper hygiene by washing their hands. Japan has promised to close schools because of the outbreak and I think it is a very wise decision. If the virus spreads in Lagos, schools should be closed. Children should also be monitored by their teachers and guardians so they can be given health care quickly if they contract the virus.
Women on the other hand, who are traders in markets or do businesses like hairdressing and others that require close contact with people should be wary of the disease. Wash your hands after touching someone, it is actually not compulsory to shake someone’s hand. You can always wave at them. Wear a face mask to protect yourself from people who will most certainly cough and sneeze.
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Tips To Preventing Contamination With Coronavirus
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- When you cough cover your mouth with a tissue and throw that tissue in the trash
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and ears.
- Stay away from crowded places
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick
- Stay in a clean and hygienic environment
- Stay at home when you are sick
Read Important Things To Know About Coronavirus for more information.
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Coronavirus in Nigeria: Conclusion
The Coronavirus has spread to over 40 countries in the world and the only continent not affected is Antarctica. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has the first recorded case of Coronavirus in sub-Saharan Africa. The possibility of the virus spreading very fast in Nigeria is great but if the government will put extra measures in place to contain the virus we might all be saved.
This is not a time to be scared or panicky. It is time to live healthy and hygienic lifestyles. Take care of your surroundings, be careful where you go and who you touch. Breathe in clean air as much as possible and most importantly, run to the hospital as soon as you have flu-like symptoms of coughing and sneezing. Coronavirus can be contained if we all do our quota. Stay healthy, stay safe. God Bless Nigeria!
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