Why it is hard to win the war against Covid-19

The World Health Organisation came up with strategies to curb the spread of Covid-19. They include maintaining at least a 1 or 1.5-metre distance between yourself and others, wearing a face mask while in public and avoiding touching your face with unsanitised hands.

However, these rules have been violated, making it difficult for the government to contain the disease.

An example of where social distancing is not observed is when those arrested during curfew hours are dumped in congested police cells.

This can therefore lead to further spread of the virus. Failure to implement crowd limits in social places is also a great threat. This is mainly due to politicians’ impunity. The politicians are on the run campaigning for the 2022 elections forgetting about the dangers they are exposing the citizens to.

The recent resumption of full capacity passengers in PSV vehicles is another form of violation of Covid-19 rules. The touts and drivers have become extremely arrogant and are now ignoring the MoH rules of catering to a maximum of eight passengers in a 14-seater vehicle. They are doing so in the claim that the budget that was read last month lead to an increase in fuel price.

Ignorance is the other reason the war against Covid-19 is being lost. The ignorance among Kenyans, especially those in rural areas where there is a perception that Covid-19 is for the rich and those living in urban centres, is fuelling the spread of the virus.

Some of them are being misled by spiritual leaders that Covid-19 is a disease that only attacks the wicked. Citizens are no longer wearing face masks despite the fact that Covid-19 is still here with us. They assume that because there are no lockdowns the disease is no longer also not there.

Another factor undermining the fight against Covid-19 is the high rate of poverty. An example is that in schools, especially the public schools in rural areas, the population there cannot allow social distancing.

This might be because of a lack of amenities. Some schools lack books, desks and even teachers. So social distancing cannot be practised in such an environment. Apart from schools, there are also hospitals that do not have the facilities to curb Covid-19.

Things such as thermoguns and fumigators might be expensive to buy and install in all hospitals. Some of the hospitals lack even isolation rooms. Life support machines are few hence cannot support a large number of those in the intensive care units.

Corruption is another factor that won’t allow the fight against Covid-19 to be successful. Some people are taking advantage of the pandemic to benefit themselves.

People should be mindful of other people’s affairs and behave humanly. Let’s not forget that if we continue behaving normally the disease will treat us abnormally. I, therefore, request citizens to be mindful of their own health and observe the MoH rules and regulations.

A Letter to the Editor from Lavenda Ayino in Kimilili.