As the evening was fast fading and the news filtered through, I thought it was a repeat of the already rumoured news which there was a loud call to disregard and claims of it being bogus. But, alas! Social media started buzzing; all platforms screaming it loudly with their headline: It is here; it has come to us; it has been confirmed. An international reporter sounding more desperate than us, expressed, “Devastating news for sub-Saharan Africa as one case of Coronavirus has been reported in Nigeria.”
As panic and confusion get the better part of me, I ponder on my life, my family, my friends, my livelihood, my children, school, worship et al. How and where do we grapple with this complex situation that the big world players are scared to their bones on how to deal with this epidemic? Like me, are you wondering how we’ll survive this, with our poor health care system?
Here’s my take; Ebola was a big elephant in the room at the time but we united and fought like our lives depended on it. We won, but not without losing some fine people, especially our evergreen Dr Adedivo. I often ask, can we have her courage to fight this threatening epidemic that is almost bringing china to her knees in all fronts. I believe we must make haste as time is no longer a luxury. Let us take the necessary precautions: wash our hands regularly with soap, keep our children safe by keeping them far away from public spaces.
Now is a good time to use the Magic word – NO! Sorry, dear child, you can’t go! For our sakes, for our nation, for our humanity lets rise above self and be each other’s keepers by being the change we want to see. Till I write again stay safe and I love you for reading. Ambassador Adaobi writes from Lagos