Physicist Albert Einstein once said that in the middle of difficulty lies an opportunity. This, without doubt, may be the case with the Covid-19 pandemic.
We’ve witnessed countries uniting to fight a common enemy. Doctors and top researchers are coordinating efforts across nations to fight the crisis. It has brought out people’s resilience and exposed the vulnerabilities of the economy, supply chains and public health, with consequences that may take years to reverse.
From the latest trends, there are concerns that Kenya and other nations will suffer more deaths and infections in the ongoing second wave. As at yesterday, we had 1,330 deaths as the overall cases reported stood at 74,145. There have been 55.6 million cases globally.
As a consequence, every government has learnt its lesson — the most compelling one being the need for everyone to take personal responsibility. Covid-19 is communal and from the experience fighting previous diseases such as SARS and Ebola, the role of the individual, not just the law, is integral in reducing the effects and risks.
What’s even more important now, we believe, is the need to address the weakest links in the war. We have an opportunity to turn the hopelessness into profound hope. Public transport, places of worship, funerals and the hospitality sector top the list of weak links. It’s time to confront uncomfortable truths about our incapacities in enforcing Covid-19 protocols in these important areas.
Our response is only as strong as our weakest link in this war. As long as the risk is high in one place, the entire population is at risk. Law enforcement agencies have their work cut out.
The Government should spare no effort in ensuring an all-round success in the implementation of regulations by making everyone account for their actions.
In major towns, matatus flout coronavirus rules with abandon. Lack of order and social distancing in many places of worship is worrying. Yet again, it is business as usual in hotels and entertainment spots where revelers end up becoming super-spreaders. Funerals and other gatherings too continue exposing large clusters to risks of infection.
Importantly, the State should hearten Kenyans to take personal responsibility for their health. Managing Covid-19 comes at a huge financial cost to the infected and their families.
Let there be a sustained effort to ensure every protocol counts. There should be no scared cows in the enforcement of safety measures.
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