WHAT ARE THE DIRECTIVES AND PLANS FROM OUR FEDERAL, STATE, AND LGAs FOR OUR PEOPLE TO SAVE LIVES WITH THIS OUTBREAK?
WHERE ARE THE CSOs IN OUR SOCIETY TO TRAIN OUR PEOPLE ON SOCIAL DISTANCING AND CALL FOR SUPPLIES FOR OUR HOSPITALS?
WHERE ARE THE “GODFATHERS” TO STEP UP TO FLATTEN THE CURVE OF THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS FOR OUR PEOPLE?
We are here now with a global pandemic where the whole world is anticipating the worst and making preparations to save their people from this.
We watch with worries as no plans on grounds across the board to save our people from the catastrophic loss of lives imminent for those unprepared to handle this. At this time, we should be seeing measurable efforts being made and not a few sporadic comments in general terms, which I believe we are getting even from ordinary people.
In the interest of our people with no media access to know what’s going on and for all citizens, we need to have our leaders, churches, corporations and civil society organizations take charge and provide adequate directives and not wait till the impact of our complacency starts unfolding with loss of lives.
We notice from conversations and observations that our people think that the virus is in overseas and they keep telling the diasporas to be careful with no knowledge that this is Global pandemic and everyone is involved. People are not heeding to the global warnings of social distancing, no group gathering, etc.
I hope that our churches, leaders, corporations, affluent citizens are seeing the role others are playing in other countries and step up before it’s too late. An example of what could happen is Italy’s situation where the initial warnings were not heeded to. The superpowers are struggling and shouting for help to prepare themselves and we don’t even see the level of seriousness in preparation in Nigeria or other African nations. The state governors need to step up and demand with specificity what is needed to protect our people and healthcare providers against the spread of this Coronavirus. Our people should not be made to pay for their testing or treatment of this virus should they contact it. What is going on with our leaders? This disease is surely not only for poor neglected ones.
It’s great that all airports are closed and no one can move to seek treatment out of Nigeria. All leaders now should enjoy the same poor healthcare system they set up or ignored. Perhaps, this might help them rethink their value placement. We ask God to save our people.
A couple of expectations and inquiries
Everyone needs to be safe from this virus, otherwise. No one is safe. Frankly, the time to act is now than later. Lack of preparation for this could lead to the undesired result of a loss of lives.
Our leaders must reach out and be creative for once to save our people from dying. We are hopeful that the virus will not spread to our area but we must be proactively ready like others, to avoid massive loss of lives of our people.
Please, as a sense of urgency, will want to know the following:
- Do we have adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, sanitizers, etc. to protect our first responders and stop the spread amongst our people?
- What efforts to keep people at home to keep outspread?
- Shouldn’t we be massively training and teaching people on the need for social distancing and self-quarantine if one shows any sign?
- What do the leaders have in place for testing and shouldn’t there be a call to so-called political stakeholders and community leaders to step up and provide proper guidance now?
- Have we considered the economic impact of this disease on our people and plans to ameliorate that?
- Is there any timeline expected to prepare for any surge of the spread and what plans the government has to reduce the spread and get the cure?
- What guidelines in place to get the students involved in their education while out of school?
- What is the expected protective gear needed and what’s the plan to secure them?
- How involved are the top 10 percent of the population with resources to step up now?
Our leaders need to provide information and lead the plan to help our people
The media need to be involved to disseminate information to the nooks and crannies of our place.
Community leaders must now lead to enforce social distancing and avoid populated events at this time.
People must be reminded of the implications of not taking this virus seriously.
All suppliers or manufacturers must step up to supply the needed masks, ventilators, hospital beds, gloves, sanitizers, cleaning products, hospital uniforms, etc. to help. The Haves in our society should be called upon to step up with supplies needed.
The price increase should be highly discouraged.
Scientists like Prof Iwu, appointed to lead in the efforts, should be supported fully by the government agencies, corporations and citizens to do all it takes to stop the spread.
Now is not the time for selfishness for dead people do not enjoy wealth. This pandemic is not a one-man problem. It is beyond self. This too will be over. But it’s only the living that will move on.
Everyone should act like they have the virus so to avoid spreading to others.
Can the government also address the anxiety and the economic impact during and after the pandemic?
Will the government have any rescue package that will help the citizens and small businesses that will be impacted?
All these are so many worries and questions the citizens will like to know at this trying time.
Our leaders will surely be judged by the way this pandemic is handled. Step up now and show leadership before our people suffer preventable losses.
Signed
Ijeoma Victoria Ehieze, JD, LL.M, Ph.D
President, Vicez Global Charities
CEO, Sanctified Home Health Services
