In the beginning
Covid-19 is a virulent disease. A fast spreading one at that. It preys mainly on the aged, and the ills - the weakness among us. If care solution is not found, not many elders (read elder statesmen) will remain while it holds sway. Covid-19 look set to keep worlds aged population to a barest minimum, and reduce health care burden of countries by taking out those with underlying health condition. So far, that appears it stated objectives, baring a few exception. Humanity are refusing to succumb. And so the retreat behind our fortresses.

Lockdown
Since China lockdown Wuhun, the first epicentre of the novel Corona Virus aka COVID-19, the word 'lockdown' is racing for top spot for the theme of the year. Even faster than the causative element, Corona Virus. Since then, Italy, Spain, US, South Korea, UK, Iran and so many other countries have locked down in one form or the other, all with varying result. Suffice to say, infection rates, and death keeping climbing, almost like a vertical line. Except for China, whose figures are at best dodgy. Nigeria have now joined the lockdown bandwagon.

A dash of light
Perhaps I should add that China in preparatory for the lockdown, built a massive hospital in about 9 days. US approved a massive 2.2 trillion Covid-19 relief package - which guarantee jobs, enterprises survival, and personal income during the crisis. Besides, many of these countries have far better health systems, and other underlying infrastructure. These are prepared to emerge from the crisis, relatively intact. And their leaders have made many assurances to their citizens to this effect.

Ride or die
Nigeria without the semblance of robust infrastructure in any sphere; nor functional/trusted governance system, has join the bandwagon. The government has restricted movement in Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja. Effectively locking down millions of their citizens, and of course commercial activities.

In doing so, are they likely to succeed, where far prepared nations struggle? What are our chances of defeating the insidious virus that has almost decapitated our command and control structure? The man at the centre of this system - Chief of Staff is already crippled by the virus. The President himself is here and there, literally confused. The Vice President has been in isolation even before the virus made its home run.

A cure worse than the disease?
For low income countries, where survival is matter of daily hustle, lockdown may create more problems than solution. Nigeria Government has promised 'palliatives', but the people say it is 'Audio' palliative i.e. empty promises, noise, and little action. Nevertheless, the FG have force people to hunker down, food or no food. And have unleashed the security agent to enforce this. Surely, the security agent may succeed in forcing the populace to stay indoors. If and when the virus passes, they will emerge from the homes destitute, having spent the business/working/trading capital to stay alive. Apart from reaction to the immediate problem of hunger, the resultant poverty will lead to bigger problems such as poorer sanitations, and eventually other outbreak of diseases. And many rendered poor by virus may not be able to afford basics needs food, shelter and drugs. Violent crimes will rise. And these may lead to more deaths, perhaps more than Covid-19 may claim. A recipe for disaster.

A way out
Lockdown will not work in this part of the world (Nigeria) with the disorganisation, and poor public health system. Lockdown will not work because government will not guarantee loss income, or loss capital for employees and employers. Sooner or later people may choose to combat hunger on the streets; and face down security personnel, virus or no virus, than to die of hunger.

Covid-19 planners and researchers should perhaps change tact from establishing the number of infected people to working on prevention. How long will it take to confirm the efficacy of Chloroquine for Covid-19 (SARS-COV2), bearing in mind that it's efficacy for SARS-COV1 is not in doubt. Government agencies, working side by side with WHO should quickly conclude their research on Chloroquine and make it available for free for the populace, giving specific guideline for Chloroquine administration for Covid-19 prevention. The earlier this is done the faster we can prevent infection, and get back to 'normal'.

This piece is contributed by PointB

Pointless and Baseless.

ignis:
Pointless and Baseless.

How so?

ignis:
Pointless and Baseless.

Did you read the article at all or this just una normal empty comments?

PointB..
Quite sometime.. keep balling.

Nigeria government under the present ruling party is dead and decaying.. both the government and its supporters are now wearing mass to avoid the stench of what the killed.

Nothing is functioning in present day Nigeria.. not a laboratory ..

Where are Nigeria scientists?
What are the plans by this government to fight this virus or prevent it. Except the handbook handed over to them by WHO..

The government is clueless about everything.. even the briefing by the minister of health is so discouraging

The Nigeria army is killing its citizens inplace of government palliatives.

We’re on our own as citizens .. staying strong for ourselves
There’s no government in Nigeria

You proffered no solution in the interim aside a cure for the virus.

PointB, if you are the President or Governor, what would you have done differently?

Herdsmen:
PointB..
Quite sometime.. keep balling.

Nigeria government under the present ruling party is dead and decaying.. both the government and its supporters are now wearing mass to avoid the stench of what the killed.

Nothing is functioning in present day Nigeria.. not a laboratory ..

Where are Nigeria scientists?
What are the plans by this government to fight this virus or prevent it. Except the handbook handed over to them by WHO..

The government is clueless about everything.. even the briefing by the minister of health is so discouraging

The Nigeria army is killing its citizens inplace of government palliatives.

We’re on our own as citizens .. staying strong for ourselves
There’s no government in Nigeria

Nigeria government under the present ruling party is dead and decaying.. both the government and its supporters are now wearing mass to avoid the stench of what the killed.

Like I asked the other time, when will you start to be making reasonable comments on NL?

This year, next year or never?

Hope you are aware that Ghana have less than 70 ventilators yet there people still believe in their government in handling the virus ..

helinues:


Nigeria government under the present ruling party is dead and decaying.. both the government and its supporters are now wearing mass to avoid the stench of what the killed.

Like I asked the other time, when will you start to be making reasonable comments on NL?

This year, next year or never?

When you grow and geh sense..
You’ve been without till now .. and might be without for life..

Be honest .. do you believe in this government, you’re supporting with all the human in you?

Herdsmen:


When you grow and geh sense..
You’ve been without till now .. and might be without for life..

More like you have given up in making any reasonable comments hence the display of kolometa on social media

helinues:


More like you have given up in making any reasonable comments hence the display of kolometa on social media

You ba!

Make I Dey look you..
Already your government has given up on themselves

How much me?

Herdsmen:


You ba!

Make I Dey look you..
Already your government has given up on themselves

How much me?

Na one by one God go disgrace all the enemies of this nation.. Amen

helinues:


Na one by one God go disgrace all the enemies of this nation.. Amen

Amen!

sapientia:
You proffered no solution in the interim aside a cure for the virus.

PointB, if you are the President or Governor, what would you have done differently?

What I'm saying is that it doesn't hurt to try the Chloroquine. It takes about 28 days max to confirm it's efficacy.

As for Nigeria Government (if there is any), they should have closed the borders earlier, and done mandatory quarantine rather than suggesting self isolation. But they couldn't because the likes of Abba Kyari were still busy with import and distribution of the virus instead of coordinating government's response.

PointB:


What I'm saying is that it doesn't hurt to try the Chloroquine. It takes about 28 days max to confirm it's efficacy.

As for Nigeria Government (if there is any), they should have closed the borders earlier, and done mandatory quarantine rather than suggesting self isolation. But they couldn't because the likes of Abba Kyari were still busy with import and distribution of the virus instead of coordinating government's response.

The chloroquine can only be used on patients and I doubt if it works all times.

We have tested less than 2000 people so how do we test the chloroquine?

By allowing free movement for others to get infected.

I got chloroquine, azythromycin and Zinc sulphate to last for 2 weeks yet am not taking any chances.

One thing you guys fail to understand is that Nigeria is grossly under staffed in all the agencies we have working on this Covid 19 saga.

Let's keep on calling on FG and starts to share food stuffs instead of trying to push them to reverse the lockdown.

helinues:




Like I asked the other time, when will you start to be making reasonable comments on NL?

This year, next year or never?

Hope you are aware that Ghana have less than 70 ventilators yet there people still believe in their government in handling the virus ..

Why do you guys keep comparing Ghana to Nigeria? The population of Ghana is a little over that of Lagos for crying out loud!

BTW, OP, many thanks for this piece.

Buhari does not understand that leadership is tough. He thinks it's about making 4+4 signs and getting some senseless idiots to vote for him.

You didn't mention what happens if Chloroquine proves not to be 100% effective for curing the noble coronavirus.

Well, I think we should have a 2-week national lockdown just to contain the disease and create massive awareness. Afterward, they reduce it to partial lockdown as seen in many states today.

What people need is enlightenment just to stay safe - something this lockdown is already achieving. Encourage people who have the symptoms to come forward for covid-19 test.

Nigerian government has to build trust... many Nigerians don't trust this government. For others, they think this whole thing is a sham.

That's why we need the president to use the media effectively and explain to Nigerians the extent of damage and to come forward when have the symptoms. Other leaders appearing on national TV to take questions are no fools.

A president is a very influential figure and millions love him. Some people will do anything because it came from the president than the minister of health. Who knows the minister of health anyways?

WHO projects that the vaccine will be ready in 12 months. All we need is to enlighten our people to learn to live with coronavirus while we await the approved vaccine.

While the lockdown is on, they need to ramp up test rate, make public the number of people tested and other important information. More importantly, they have to support people through food, money and otherwise.

SoNature:


Why do you guys keep comparing Ghana to Nigeria? The population of Ghana is a little over that of Lagos for crying out loud!

BTW, OP, many thanks for this piece.

Buhari does not understand that leadership is tough. He thinks it's about making 4+4 signs and getting some senseless idiots to vote for him.

You didn't mention what happens if Chloroquine proves not to be 100% effective for curing the noble coronavirus.

Well, I think we should have a 2-week national lockdown just to contain the disease and create massive awareness. Afterward, they reduce it to partial lockdown as seen in many states toy.

What people need is enlightenment just to stay safe - something this lockdown is already achieving. Encourage people who have the symptoms to come forward for covid-19 test.

Nigerian government has to built trust... many Nigerians don't trust this government. For others, they think this whole thing is a sham.

That's why we need the president to use the media effectively and explain to Nigerians the extent of damage and to come forward when have the symptoms. Other leaders appearing on national TV to take questions are no fools.

A president is a very influential figure and millions love him. Some people will do anything because it came from the president than the minister of health. Who knows the minister of health anyways?

WHO projects that the vaccine will be ready in 12 months. All we need is to enlighten our people to learn to live with coronavirus.

While the lockdown is on, they need to ramp up test rate, make public the number of people tested and other important information. More importantly, they have to support people through food, money and otherwise.

The epistle in M.I?

sapientia:


The chloroquine can only be used on patients and I doubt if it works all times.

We have tested less than 2000 people so how do we test the chloroquine?

By allowing free movement for others to get infected.

I got chloroquine, azythromycin and Zinc sulphate to last for 2 weeks yet am not taking any chances.

One thing you guys fail to understand is that Nigeria is grossly under staffed in all the agencies we have working on this Covid 19 saga.

Let's keep on calling on FG and starts to share food stuffs instead of trying to push them to reverse the lockdown.

I'm not laying this solely on the feet of the FG, cos I know they are grossly incompetent. That why I said working side-by-side with WHO. Nigeria health system cannot manage COVID-19 as you've rightly stated, neither can Nigeria government handle the hunger and poverty and its attendant consequence. Prevention (of COVID-19 and Povery) is always better than cure. That's why theCholoroquine therapy need to be urgently proved and promoted.

Herdsmen:
PointB..
Quite sometime.. keep balling.

Nigeria government under the present ruling party is dead and decaying.. both the government and its supporters are now wearing mass to avoid the stench of what the killed.

Nothing is functioning in present day Nigeria.. not a laboratory ..

Where are Nigeria scientists?
What are the plans by this government to fight this virus or prevent it. Except the handbook handed over to them by WHO..

The government is clueless about everything.. even the briefing by the minister of health is so discouraging

The Nigeria army is killing its citizens inplace of government palliatives.

We’re on our own as citizens .. staying strong for ourselves
There’s no government in Nigeria

Thanks bro.

Yeah it's been a while. Busy working on a book - The Acts of King Bubu son of Hari.
Hope you'll buy when it's out.