Many Nigerians have been living pretty normal lives like COVID-19 wasn’t part of their daily consciousness while a large chunk of the developed world has been living restricted lives.
In this part of the country, people go about with no perceived precaution despite the surging cases of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic. Persons still engaged in anything and everything with no necessary measure of safety that can be considered essential. Imagine how I feel after putting on my nose mask only to walk into a place and see more than 90% of the people without any protective gear whatsoever.
COVID-19 is here as such everyone must note that the virus is not on holiday and doesn’t select either race or religion but can be easily contracted by all. Most of the world is going into one form of restriction or another with some others who can, are ordering total lockdowns.
The Nigerian government has over time expressed its concerns about the careless attitude of citizens in public places and gatherings. Similarly, the Lagos State Government and other states have had to take the extreme measure of arresting a couple of persons and shut down public places all that have flaunted the COVID-19 set guidelines. It is absolutely unnecessary for the government to have to put extreme measures of arrests as a tool to safeguard the health of that particular individual when one can simply just take responsibility. When an individual simply takes responsibility and acts in accordance to safety, it is beneficial to all and reduces even the stress placed on government agencies.
Also, religious institutions must understand that the country is recording a daily high number of cases which has now been dubbed the “Second Wave” as such to assist the government in also prevent the extreme measure of a lockdown, religious leaders must take responsibility in educating their followers on safety practices and also lead by example in organizing their places of worship during meetings.
We can encourage each other to embrace the “new normal” as the reality with a strict sense of caution as the world stands as Allies battling Coronavirus. Be of good cheer, implore people around you to stay safe. Do not run non-essential errands. If you must be in public places make sure you have your nose mask with an adequate amount of social distancing.