13 Take Home Notes From The Covid-19 Pandemic

1. WE ARE ALL CONNECTED: Since the COVID -19 pandemic we have all been reminded of how connected we are.

Some nations that felt like they’ll never need any help from other nations now see the need to ask for help as they are overwhelmed by the scourge that the virus has melted. 

2. FIX THE HEALTH SECTOR: This point needs no introduction.

Our health sector requires some serious repair.

Unfortunately, we never thought a day will come when one pandemic will ravage the world simultaneously and that nowhere would be safe from it.

It’s now every man to himself. No country has room to accept anyone from other countries other than their irrespective of their social standing in the society.

Everyone now has nowhere to run to. We all have to answer our father’s names and fall back on our health facilities.

I hope this serves as a wake-up call to us all on why the health sector needs a total overhaul. 

3. GREED: This seems like our middle name as human sympathy and empathy have eluded most of us since the COVID -19 pandemic made its grand entry into Nigeria.

The price of items has more than doubled. The price of face masks, hand sanitizers, food items, even chloroquine, and other essentials has skyrocketed because a lot of us have seen this pandemic as an opportunity to cash out.

It’s a sad situation that seems to repeat itself whenever the need arises for us to show some human sympathy to one another. 

4. LACKADAISICAL ATTITUDE: Despite news reports and video images of the effect the pandemic has had on other countries before its entrance into Nigeria, a lot of us still have a nonchalant attitude to the COVID -19 pandemic.

Most of us believed that it never existed and even if it did it couldn’t thrive in the Nigerian climate nor can it kill an African.

We all carried on with our normal lives like “nothing dey happen.

Unfortunately, this may just have led to the virus spreading despite earlier warnings.

5. FAKE NEWS: Negative news is news indeed. A quote online read ” The Coronavirus has a WhatsApp problem ” and it could not be aptly put.

The level of misinformation shared on WhatsApp is appalling.

Unfortunately due to ignorance of how the virus spreads a lot of people tend to share these posts ranging from how the virus spreads to home remedies on how to combat the spread of the virus believing they are saving a life thereby peddling false information, not from verified sources like WHO, NCDC, UNICEF.

A lot of people don’t seem to understand the need to verify this information to avoid spreading panic and fear.

6. RELIGION IGNORANCE: Sadly religion is still very much the opium of the masses.

The COVID -19 pandemic has been referred to by some people as the “SIN VIRUS”, believing that it only inflicts “sinners” and they are exempt.

Some people believe it doesn’t exist and want to carry on with their ceremonies and church activities.

Unfortunately, it may have led to the spread of the virus.

They have proudly flaunted stay-at-home orders and refused to adhere to social distancing because they believe God is punishing the world for its sin.

On Social Media comments like “God forgive us for our sins and cleanse the earth.

We are sorry” are echoed. Churches and Mosques have had to be forcefully closed in some states as some people have just failed to adhere to instructions.

7. SCAMMERS: Scammers always seem to find a way to insert themselves into every situation and cash out.

An example is the BVN MESSAGE that almost everyone has received, now the  COVID -19 pandemic has presented them with yet another opportunity to defraud unsuspecting victims.

A lot of links have popped up online prompting many Nigerians to click on links owing to the government giving out a certain lockdown fund to free data bundles for Nigerians as well as airtime credits.

Unfortunately, a lot of people will still fall for these scams. 

8. NO COUNTRY IS ABOVE THE OTHER: we have all been taught a valuable lesson that no country is above the other.

Both economic powers in the world, as well as underdeveloped countries of the world, have been inflicted by the pandemic.

It has shown that we are all equal. It has brought back humanity.

Reminding us that our blood is red irrespective of our complexion and social status. 

9. GOD IS NOW CONSIDERED IMPORTANT: It’s emotional watching world leaders say we have done all we can, it’s now up to God to decide yet before now he was treated like an option by some of us.

We only seem to want to communicate with him only during trying times.

We let grasses grow on the path to communication with him,  only to remember that he exists when we have run out of options. 

10. CREATE OUR RECREATION: With the shutting down of major football leagues in the world and the suspension of all sports events a wind of boredom blew through the world.

Even entertainment events were not left out. People who depended on these things to pass time have been left bored.

It’s time for us to focus on things we can take responsibility for.

Go back to the home games that kept us busy in the past because these recent events have shown us how uncertain these things can be.

11. WE ALL PLAY IMPORTANT ROLES: Everyone is important but let’s focus on teachers.

Before this pandemic hit Nigeria social media was awash with posts from groups dominated by women bashing teachers for eating the food of their pupils.

They were accused of being hungry and unprofessional, wretched, and hungry, then suddenly schools closed unexpectedly and very funny videos began to pop up of parents complaining about having to homeschool their children.

I hope when it’s all over we will all appreciate one another for the very important roles we play. 

12. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING: Other than God, the family is the next most important thing.

We have been reminded that there’s no place like home.

For the first time, a lot of families are spending time under the same roof for a long time.

I hope we all make the best of it. 

13. THE NEED FOR PLAN B: Before now it was inconceivable to believe that the whole world will be forced to work from home unexpectedly.

Sadly it took a lot of us unawares. A lot of businesses have been affected because they can’t thrive in the home environment.

It’s important for everyone to sober reflect on a plan B because none of us can tell if what is happening now will happen again in our lifetime.

If it does we have to be prepared…