We are now living in coronavirus times. Businesses world over are slowly resuming and re-opening as people and leaders sidestep the statistics and the daily updates. Many major news networks no longer provide ongoing daily updates about the state of the pandemic. Compare the situation today with that around February and March 2020, at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, everywhere one looked, it was about the coronavirus pandemic.
This is no longer the issue and it is a cause for worry.
It appears there is reducing the transparency of the intensity of the infections by different countries as the virus is an economy killer. The more the number of infections, the fewer the people willing to visit and do business with the country. This has affected tourism, hospitality, and all entertainment business.
The increasing silence over this pandemic could lead to big problems.
As of today, 7th July 2020, the total confirmed coronavirus cases now stand at 11,647,399, and 538,796 deaths representing a 4.63% case mortality rate. This is worrying. The fact is the pandemic is gaining momentum as many people become tired of staying at home without work.
Going forward:
- More public awareness of the pandemic must be made. Each country, with the support of WHO, must set and implement minimum guidelines for creating awareness about the pandemic, tracking cases, and managing them. National leading media houses must dedicate space in the interest of public awareness for coronavirus prevention and management. This shall help avoid the risk of the public becoming reluctant about the pandemic.
- Each respective Ministry must develop standard operating procedures so that people learn to live with the virus instead of trying to avoid the virus. The avoidance strategy has proved difficult to sustain.
- A road map for opening education institutions must be established and clear standard operating procedures set. The world progresses when people go to school. the pandemic shall have won if the children are kept out of school. A strategy to reduce students physically in a class by establishing both digital technology for those who can afford to keep them at home and the others may be allowed to access classes subject to stringent social and physical distancing rules enforced.
- Fast track testing, tracking, and research in the vaccine. Focus on changing people’s behaviour and practices through education and awareness.
We shall overcome.
Copyright Mustapha B Mugisa, 2020. All rights reserved.
