Fighting the Virus

Where are We Safer Today?

My friend Julie sent me the April 8 article from The New York Times, written by Dionne Searcey and Ruth Maclean. They said that given the breadth of and response to the corona virus in the US, some Americans believe it’s safer to stay in Africa rather than take a US evacuation flight!

My reason for not taking the flight with my daughter on April 18 was different. It just seemed to make more sense to stay with my son and grandchildren in Lagos than be in an empty house in Connecticut.

As it turns out, my daughter is in the house in Connecticut. She and her husband agreed that she should get tested, given that she was coming from Nigeria on a flight that had few precautions. She got her results today but may not leave even tomorrow; she doesn’t feel great. Tiredness, time change, virus?

Safer in Nigeria?

There’s no doubt that major efforts are being made in Lagos and Abuja to keep us safe. This morning at the fruit shop, we washed our hands in a small sink set up right outside the entrance before going in. The cashier wore a mask. So did the men helping us find the produce we wanted.

We also had to get items from two supermarkets. At the first, we were given hand sanitizer and had our temperature taken before entering.

At the second, we had to wait in line outside. Five or six people were in front of us. The guard at the door invited me to enter before the others.

I was sorry to see this colonial hangover of white privilege, though I didn’t refuse! But when I said my cook, beside me in the line, had to come with me – he knew what to buy – the guard said no.

So we waited. I was relieved, knowing I should have declined in the first place!

While still in the line, we were given face masks. Our turn came after about 10 minutes. We again had our temp taken and were given hand sanitizer.

But I don’t believe these precautions exist in the markets of Lagos or in shops in the more crowded areas of the city. Nor do they exist along the streets where people often buy snacks.

Food Aid

When we were waiting to turn in at Sam’s apartment after our shopping trip, our cousin Emerie who was driving pointed to a spot in front of the construction site next door. A few men were handing out packages. “They’re giving out food,” he said.

He believed this was the local government doing the distribution, and just for our road. I can imagine the construction workers could use the help, but they are probably being paid. Most people along Reeve Road have a place to live and some source of income, though it may be small.

I think the greatest need is elsewhere in this huge city. Many people have been laid off from their jobs; many have been looking for jobs but meanwhile depended on relatives who have been working. Not to mention the thousands of homeless people in the city, some of whom earned income from selling along the road. Now with fewer people out, this chance for a few Naira is hard to find.

You Can Help

A friend told us about an organization to get food aid to people in need: “We are a coalition of partners that have come together to create Givefood.ng, an emergency food relief platform that is capable of getting over 1 million meals, donated by caring people, just like you, to those in need every week.”

Their partners include all the major supermarkets, large corporations, banks and Facebook. “100% of every naira you donate goes to providing meals,” they say. The website is givefood.ng.” I am impressed at what they’ve pulled together.

I don’t know if they have a way to take non-Naira donations. I’ve just sent an email to them to ask. I’ll let you know.

The UN at Work in Nigeria

The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, shares comments in a blog post about his people’s work in addressing the virus.

Oluseyi Soremekun writes that before the virus reached Nigeria there were powerful myths that had to be dispelled quickly. Black Africans can’t get the virus was one!

Kelechi Amadi-Obi wrote in the UN report, “Nigerian stars were mobilised, and produced powerful content with potent messages that quickly began to trend.”

Here’s the one I liked best: “Addressing the issue of coronavirus myths, popular [Nigerian] comedian Basketmouth (below), in his short video, urges everyone in pidgin English, ‘Abeg confam information before you share am,’ meaning, ‘Please confirm information before you share with others.'”

The report says that WHO has sent staff to the affected areas to assist. They and the other UN agencies in Nigeria have supplied equipment. Ventilators, PPEs, test kits and five ambulances are among the procured items.

Kallon says the UN is also paying attention to the IDP camps in Nigeria’s northeast where Boko Haram has been most active. So far there are no major outbreaks, but the virus could spread quickly in these crowded settings.

Ramadan starts on Friday. I hope the mosques manage to remain closed, as most churches did for Easter. But it’s a challenge!

Drones to Fight the Virus?

Dan Woog reported that the police in Westport are considering using drones to spot gatherings and encourage people to disperse.

I heard negative comments about this yesterday from a church member in a conversation group. She was concerned about privacy. A slippery slope to authoritarian practices also seemed to concern her. But I bet she didn’t know (nor did I) that they are already in use!

“The department has been using drones for several years already. Purposes include missing persons, motor vehicle accidents, and assisting the Fire Department.”

At least one state in Nigeria is also planning to use drones for disinfecting.

https://disrupt-africa.com/2020/04/nigerian-startup-beat-drone-spraying-disinfectant-to-fight-covid-19/?utm_source=Africa.com&utm_campaign=a5f64f9af3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_05_27_09_40_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_12683c81a6-a5f64f9af3-29188653

Will we see these drones around Lagos?