The world continues to be locked down. All countries are taking extreme measures to contain the virus or and where it is yet to reach, prevent its spread. It is the right thing to do – prevention is better than cure. The two best prevention strategies that have been communicated are (1) social distancing and (2) Personal hygiene and care.
World Health Organisation recommends social distancing. It advises thus: “Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.”
For more insights on how to keep yourself and people around you safe, visit WHO.
You are not encouraged to make unnecessary travels. If the trip can wait, let it wait. Of what use is trying to close a deal you may not live the next day to enjoy the fruits.
In Uganda, the government through a statutory instrument has announced stringent measures aimed at promoting “social distancing” strategy. Activities and places that bring many people together have been suspended for the next 30 days effective Friday 20th March 2020. This means schools, places of worship, and political rallies have been suspended.
Speaking yesterday, Uganda’s President H. E. Yoweri. K. Museveni announced the closure of schools – pre-primary, primary, secondary and universities, and suspended religious gatherings of all denominations in the country as a preventative measure.
The anticipated costs and loss arising from the disruption as a result of these preventative measures are so small compared to the costs that could arise if the virus entered the country and leveraged from the large groups that gather in places of worship, learning institutions and other communal events like weddings, burials, etc. which have also been affected. Weddings have been suspended. Only close family relatives can attend a burial.
Remember to:
- Listen and follow the guidance of experts
- Rely on information from official websites like WHO, UN, your local Ministry of Health Website and official news sources at the national level. Hackers are on the rampage, sharing links to COVID-19 disease
- Keep social distance and follow the government guidelines on managing the pandemic
- If you are not feeling well, call for help. Avoid self-medication.
- Practice better personal hygiene. Keep your hands off your eyes, mouth and other membrane areas that the virus uses to enter your body.
- Stay alive.
Do not worry. Nothing can wipe-away humanity from the face of the earth. The world still needs you.
For the latest updates on the virus situation in the world, click here
Copyright Mustapha B Mugisa, 2020. All rights reserved.
