By Tunde Henry
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday 29th of March announced the lockdown of some states; Lagos, Abuja and Ogun in order to reduce the spread of the virus before it sweeps every part of the country. Also some other states are on partial lockdown and some observing curfew from dusk to dawn. Currently, there are over 900 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria.
As we know strict measures have to be taken to contain the virus. Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak was on a total lockdown for 76 days, and this has proven to be really effective until the lockdown was eased on 7th of April, when no new domestic cases were reported. Also, hard-hit countries around the world have given a stay-home order to their citizens, and it has effectively reduced the spread of the virus. This has been effective in Wuhan, Italy, Spain and other countries
With the lockdown and stay-home order, the virus could be contained quickly we thought. Recently, cases have been increasing with Lagos having over 600 cases. The Lockdown would prevent social and other gatherings, hence flattening the curve, but people are not making it any easier. Many markets, shops and business enterprises still carry on their daily activities amidst the lockdown. A woman once told me “the virus is only infecting the rich and the people with an underlying illness, I cannot be infected.”
South Africa recently deployed over 70,000 soldiers across the country to enforce a strict lockdown. This was known to be the country’s biggest military deployment for domestic purposes since the dawn of democracy in 1994. Should soldiers also be deployed in Nigeria to enforce a lockdown? What about their brutality on citizens? A Nigerian medical journalist, Kemi Olunloyo tweeted that President Buhari is about to make a huge announcement the coming week that will change the face of the lockdown. Whatever that announcement will be, we wait.
With cases still soaring in Lagos, many people have also been reported to have resumed their daily activities and some usually gather for exercises and sports. How can we flatten the curve and reduce the spread if we keep this up?
The lockdown has also resulted into stealing and robbery in many areas in Lagos and Ogun state which have been terrorized by a gang of robbers known as “1 million boys” and residents have been forced to stay up at night to keep watch.
“It is hunger I am worried about, not a virus. I even heard it doesn’t kill young people,” Ms. Ogunlola told the BBC.
The government should have done better to reach out to the most vulnerable in the distribution of relief packages. These packages have not covered many homes in Lagos, and people are left in their homes to starve. This is also one of the reasons many are on the streets sourcing for daily bread as people now fear the god of hunger over the death from the virus.
