The Governor of Rivers state announced a total lock down in two local government of the state, namely Port Harcourt and Obia /Akpor LG. It took affect on May 7th but was later relaxed for two days - May 12th and 13th.

He however extended the days of the relaxed lock down to May 17th after people have already done their last minute buying with most people unable to withdraw their monies. The later reason was given for the extension.

I want to use this medium to do a critical appraisal of the lock down and ascertain if it has so far fulfill it's objectives or counter productive. I will use the time line of coronavirus virus results in Rivers State for my analysis. You can please make your objective comments at the end of the article.

May 7th was Day 1 of the lock down declared by Governor Wike in Port Harcourt and Obia/Akpor LGA of Rivers state.
Note the trend of the cases of coronavirus before, during and after the lock down.

Before the total lock down, there was no new coronavirus cases from May 1st to May 6th. The total number as at this period is 14 with 2 discharged cases and 2 deaths.
Day 1(May 7th) of the lock down witnessed 3 new cases bringing the total to 17 cases, 2 discharged cases and 2 deaths.
Day 2 of the lock down witnessed 4 new cases bringing the total cases to 21, 4 discharged and 2 deaths.
Day 3 and Day 4 of the lock down had no new case.
Day 5 (May 11th) had 1 new case bringing the total to 22, 4 discharged cases and 2 deaths.

The lock down was relaxed initially for 2 days - May 12th and 13th.
Day 1 of the relaxed lock down witnessed 1 new case bringing the total to 23, 4 discharged and 3 deaths.
Day 2 of the relaxed lock down brought 10 new cases bringing the total to 33, 5 discharged and 3 deaths.

Possible cause of the rise on the second day of the relaxed lock down is people trying to do last minute buying before the lock down begins again. This led to over crowding both of the super markets, shopping malls, POS centers and banks. As such, social distance was not observed and more people could have contracted it as a result.

The Governor however extended the relaxed lock down to Sunday, May 17th after the drama of last minute rush.
May 14th and 15th of the extended days didn't witness any new case. Rather 5 more people were discharged on May 15th.
On May 16th, two new cases showed up, 21 discharged and 3 deaths.

What can we deduce from this trend?
1. The total lock down is absolutely unnecessary as increase cases began to show up during the lock down.
2. Before the total lock down started, there was no new case for 5 days. This record could not be matched during the total lock down period. This means the state is doing better without the total lock down.
3. The highest increase which came on May 13th is also a result of the announcement of another period of lock down which led to last minute rush. Virtually every one was trying to prepare for the lock down which of course made it difficult to keep social distance. This definitely led to the increased number of new cases for that day.
4. After the extension of the relaxed lock down, we have witnessed only 2 new cases and 21 total discharged cases and no new death.

In summary, the state therefore seems to be doing better without a total lock down. The total lock down therefore is not only counter productive, it is even contributing to the spread of the virus judging by the figures in the time line.

I therefore use this medium to appeal to the Governor of Rivers State to please rescind his decision to put the state under another lock down period. Besides the figures above, we don't know the numbers of people who may have died through other ways during the period of the lock down. Total lock down kills in many ways some of which includes:

1 Someone committing suicide out of frustration. Just before the lock down, a caller told Wazobia radio station he will commit suicide because of the announcement of the lock down. He may have been saved by the timely intervention of the good people anchoring the program as they are helping so many people in this difficult time.
2. Hypertension due to too much thinking can kill also.
3. When people who are critically sick are unable to access health care facilities during the lock down, they can die. Cholera for instance can kill within hours if health care facilities is not immediately accessed. Even a pregnant woman who is due for delivery can also die if she is unable to access a health care centre.
4. Armed robbers can kill also and rob people in order to survive during the lock down.

So, please Governor Wike, we appeal to you not to return these two local government to another period of lock down.

Your task force should just ensure markets remain closed, face masks are used, social distance is observed, religious gathering is restricted in numbers and constantly remind people to wash their hands.

I eagerly anticipate a favorable response to this article especially for the sake of the people of Rivers state who voted massively for you and those who don't have anything to fall back in the event of total lock down.

Well, I hope things goes well!


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