... As Nigerian Government, Governor Dapo Abiodun Of Ogun State Take Measures To Contain Second Wave Of The Dreadful Virus
Bill Gates, a co-founder of Microsoft and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), has revealed that there is no answer yet why the coronavirus infection rates and related deaths have continued to remain relatively low in Africa as opposed to his earlier prediction of doom for the continent.
The Daily Crucible recalls that Gates and his wife, Melinda, had in more than one occasion, warned that given the glaring widespread poverty and weak healthcare system in most African nations, there would be dead bodies littering the streets of Africa if the world did not act fast enough to support the continent.
Melinda, for example, said her heart was in Africa, and worried that the continent might not be able to handle the devastating effect of the virus on lives and socioeconomic structures.
But a year after the pandemic began in Wuhan, China, in November/December 2019 and 9months after it crept into Africa, Bill Gates' prediction of 'dead bodies all over the streets' of the continent has not come to pass and by Providence, won't come pass.
However, Bill has come to say he was happy his prediction about Africa has not happened.
In most of sub-Saharan Africa, for example, case rates and death rates remain much lower than in the U.S. or Europe and on par with New Zealand, which has received so much attention for its handling of the virus.
“One thing I’m happy to have been wrong about—at least, I hope I was wrong—is my fear that Covid-19 would run rampant in low-income countries. So far, this hasn’t been true.
“The hardest-hit country on the continent is South Africa—but even there, the case rate is 40 percent lower than in the US, and the death rate is nearly 50 percent lower.
“We don’t have enough data yet to understand why the numbers aren’t as high as I worried they would get — but gave probable reasons Africa was not as affected as expected,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, many African countries are taking measures to contain the second wave of the pandemic.
Ghana, a West African country for example, is engaged in rapid testing of travellers and visitors to the country at her various points of entry and test results collected between 45 and 75minutes.
In Nigeria the Presidential Task Force (PTF) through the chairman, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Boss Mustapha, announced new measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the country, saying the use of face masks will be enforced.
“Restrict all informal and formal festivity events including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 persons.
“Limit all gatherings linked to religious events to less than 50 per cent capacity of the facility of use during which physical distancing; mandatory use of face masks shall be strictly enforced," he said.
The SGF urged Nigerians to see the restrictions as a matter of life and death, lamenting that he has lost more close friends to Covid -19 in one month than in the months between March and November 2020.
The FG also ordered government's workers up to level 12 to stay away from work for the next 5 weeks while schools are to remain shut till January 18.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Friday stated that Covid-19 related deaths now stand at 1,246.
Nigeria currently has a total of 82,747 confirmed cases in the country.
In Ogun state, Governor Dapo Abiodun has called for restraint in celebrations during the Christmas and New Year festivities, even as he also announced the suspension of street carnivals, crowded cross-over night service, parties and similar gatherings in the State following spike in COVID-19 infections across the nation.
Abiodun said the suspension of carnivals, cross - over among others, formed part of the measures and guidelines for public health as the state prepares for a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
He directed that all Schools in the State are to remain closed until January 18, 2021, while all bars, nightclubs, pubs and event centres, recreational centres in the state have also been shut down indefinitely.
The Governor further directed that the all markets are to open strictly between 8am and 4pm while maintaining social distancing and observing all COVID-19 protocols, including the use of face mask, provision of hand sanitizer and/or hand-washing equipment at every strategic point within their malls, shops, business premises etc.
Abiodun further directed that religious and worship centres should not exceed 50 per cent of their capacity while services must also be in compliance with all COVID-19 protocols.
“There should be no gatherings of more than 50 people at any event or ceremonies, such as conferences, congresses, office events, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, cross-over nights, end of year parties, weddings, naming, birthdays, anniversaries, street carnivals, etc until further notice,” he said.
He also called on motorcycle (okada), tricycle, bus, car, taxi and other transport operators to not to carry passengers above 50 percent of their capacity, in compliance with social distancing rules.
While urging citizens to celebrate in moderation, Gov. Abiodun wished the people a Merry Christmas and prosperous 2021, saying they should take personal responsibilities and stay within their residences and not embark on travels within and outside the State to ensure they neither transmit nor contract the virus.
For religious centres, the League of Imams and the Christian leaders adopted the earlier positions taken in the wake of COVID-19 earlier in the year such as:
1. All worship activities must be observed by not more than 50percent of capacity
2. All congregants must wear their face masks appropriately (that is, No facemask, No entry)
3. There should be reliable sources of running water
4. Worship centres should be adequately cleaned and disinfected before and after services
5. Household bleach solution should be adequately prepared for disinfectations
6. There should be adequate provision and supervision of multiple Veronica Buckets for handwashing (fully automated handwashing machines are preferable)
7. There should be provision of alcohol-based sanitiser which must be used before and at intervals of every 20 minutes as well as after service
8. Worship centre should provide adequate toilet facilities with water
9. It is paramount for Muslims to perform ablution at home and go to Mosque with their personal praying mats
10. Qualified Medical Practitioners or trained personnels should check the temperature of worshippers with infrared thermometer before allowing them to enter worship centres
11..There should be adequate medical support for sick persons
12. All services on Friday/Sunday and other week days must adhere strictly to COVID-19 Guidelines
13. There should be pre-designated standing position/sitting points to ensure not less than 2 meter distancing
14. The duration of religious services should not be more than one hour. In addition, same duration must be observed at intervals, where there are multiple services
15. The use of Air-conditioners should be discouraged while worship centres should be well ventilated with the use of fans
16. There should not be any handshake/hugs by worshippers
17. Proper awareness of the susceptibility of the aged and people with signs of ill-health should be adequately created among worshippers at all times
18. Constant sensitisation of COVID-19 and its dangers should be included in sermon and goodwill messages
19. Provision of isolation rooms is mandatory in all worship centres or facilities
20. Religious services and events should be recorded with digital camera for record purposes
21. Government will not hesitate to impose severe sanctions (including, but not limited to lockdown) on any Worship Centre that fails to comply with the laid down guidelines
22. No social gathering should exceed 50 people while 2 meters social distancing must be observed in such gatherings
23..Disposable elements should be used during Holy Communion instead of sharing cups
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