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The exponential rise in Covid-19 cases is the clearest indicator of a looming health crisis. Though the Ministry of Health has not declared a second wave of the coronavirus, everything points to it. Two months ago, Covid-19 hospital admissions stood at 450 countrywide, but by early this week, the figure had more than doubled. That should worry us.
On Monday, 18 people died of Covid-19. Last week, there were 95 deaths and this month alone, Kenya has recorded the highest death rate since the first case was reported in March. By yesterday, the number of confirmed positive cases surpassed 50,000 cases and hospitals had run out of Covid-19 beds.
These gloomy statistics carry a message for all of us; that we should sit up, take note and act to stop the spread of this disease for which there is neither cure nor vaccination. There is no doubt that Kenyans have thrown caution to the wind. A look around shows that many Kenyans have completely trashed the Health ministry’s containment rules as they go about their businesses.
Despite emphasis on social distancing, majority of Kenyans can still be found huddled together in small and large groups without face masks. Our leaders do not help matters as they embark on either popularising or opposing the Building Bridges Initiative report. Political rallies across the country put more people at risk of contracting Covid-19, yet those encouraging this irresponsible behaviour are politicians who have a duty to keep their people out of harm’s way.
Most public service vehicles carry passengers at full capacity, but don’t stress the need for sanitising and wearing of face masks before boarding. Boda boda riders, churches and bars also seem to have ignored safety precautions, thus increasing the risk of infections. Following the partial reopening of schools, cases of Covid-19 have been reported in some schools, raising grave concerns about the safety of learners.
Beating Covid-19, the unseen enemy lurking in our midst, requires deliberate and concerted efforts from all of us. Kenyans must drop their cavalier attitude towards this disease and religiously follow the set rules for stalling the pandemic. Citizens cannot ignore directives aimed at keeping them safe then later turn around and blame the government for failing to provide adequate healthcare. More than ever before, we should take seriously Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe’s warning that “if we continue to behave normally, this disease will treat us abnormally”.
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