Let’s fight pandemic, not the front-line heroes

Players in the essential services sector have a critical role in keeping economies going, as the world is engrossed in the Covid-19 battle. Essential services are derived from a broad spectrum of sectors such as healthcare, transport and logistics, banking, food suppliers and governments. It is therefore safe to say these are the warriors on front-line in the war against the pandemic. These sectors ensure populations have sufficient access to medical supplies, PPEs, pharmaceuticals, food among others.

The logistics sector plays the critical role of ensuring these key supplies are imported and distributed to the destinations in a timely manner and in the requisite state. As such, logistics providers in cargo transportation, warehousing, port and customs clearance pass the baton to other front-line sectors. Unfortunately, the valuable front-liners bear a huge brunt of Covid-19 infections arising from the exposure they face in the course of business. Kenya has already registered one fatality and announced that more than 100 healthcare workers have tested positive to the Covid-19 virus.