₦airaland Forum

I needed to create a new account for this, so that I can speak very much freely about this matter.

I have contemplated awhile now, on how best to tell my story so that others will learn.

I have watched almost helplessly on various social media platforms (including Nairaland) as many people including young people who are educated and normally smart, mock the idea of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

First, I blame our government who has so much lied to us and stolen from us, so much so that we now look at them with suspicion all the time (now, even on matters that pertain to life and death)

Now, before you argue with me or argue next time whether COVID-19 is real in Nigeria, please read my story below.

This is a long read, and I will try all my possible best to make it sound more interesting to read, without removing the very truths and facts and the core experiences.

My diagnosis

When my test result came out, a Doctor called me up on my mobile, and related the news to me. Afterwards, he asked how I was doing currently. I went on to tell him that I was now having some difficulty in breathing. He told me that isolation centers are very busy now, but since I was having more than just a mild symptoms (difficulty in breathing) that the authorities will get back to me and possibly take me to an Isolation center for better care and monitoring.

Several days passed, and I didn't hear back from the 'authorities', and I was feeling worse, so I made my own moves and eventually I was at the Isolation center YABA.

Arriving at the Isolation center.

It was JULY...
and YES, indeed the Isolation center was so busy and mostly filled to its capacity.

So, to weed out those who may not need to be there in the first place, the Doctors will ask basic questions and check your 'oxygen concentration level'. It is one of the ways to determine if your body (particularly the lungs) is being severely affected.

If your oxygen concentration level check returns a figure lower than a certain percentage, then you are admitted.
So, that was why I was admitted in the Isolation center.

As i was still being processed for admission, I saw a car stop near us, and was asking for a relative who died a few days ago. They were directed to the hospital mortuary.

I immediately had goosebumps all over my body. It was chilling to hear that at the time. It just felt as though coming here does not guarantee any positive outcome. Of course, I should know that already, but somehow I hadn't thought of that...

My stay at the Isolation Ward

The first day went normal.
But by the second day, two people died in my ward. It is a ward having 12 people at that time.
One young man and another man in his maybe, mid fifties.

Both were my neighbors (one on the left and the other on my right)

Oh my God, I quickly ran to psalm 91.
Now, I have always been a believer, and believed my faith was always strong. However, sometimes, when we come face to face with some things, we realize that fear was just nearby all these while...lol

In general, the Government tries their very best over there at IDH Yaba. The food is generally very good on most of the occasions. The nurses were doing their very best. I would score the majority of them 100%. Doctors were also trying. But, of course there were some lapses and things needing urgent attention. I made sure to point them out, but then, as a government-run hospital, it is subject to some painful bureaucracies.

My Most Painful Experiences.

Now, personally, I was not very severe nor would I even say severe (I feel so blessed to say this)

But for some people like myself, watching others suffer extreme pains can be as painful as, if not even more painful than suffering it myself.

So, from my second day, I have started to know many people personally, and came to know those who were now recovering. Some of them were moved from the 'Intensive Care Unit' to our ward.

Normally, there are general wards, and there is an intensive care unit (ICU). The ICU is for those who are severely ill or with more compromised lungs, in such a way that even with an oxygen cylinder, they are not able to breathe.
They use ventilators in there, and has much more attention given to them.

Even so, it appears more deaths happen at the ICU. Perhaps, because since there is no cure yet, the body continued to deteriorate nonetheless.

But some people make it out and eventually begin the painful and tough (but grateful) journey to recovery.
They will still be on ordinary oxygen equipment for some days, and n some cases a few weeks, depending on the recovery speed.

Some others began their journey from the general wards, and if their cases were worsening, they move to the ICU eventually. Some die over there, and from the wards, you just hear the news

For the vast majority of the people, COVID is nothing more than some feeling of malaria and or some nasty cough.

Yet, for most (but, not all) people who do get to the Isolation centers in Nigeria, it is a very, very harrowing experience.

You will see some matured men crying out in pain. Some poo on their beds and don't even notice. Some can't even sit up to feed themselves. Some others go hungry for days because the appetite nor the strength to sit up to eat is not there.

For some people, their bedside table is filled with all manner of uneaten foods going back to severe days.

At some point, you just notice the oxygen in the cylinders finish, and you see people struggling to breathe and struggling in their beds until a replacement comes.
Of course, if a replacement fails to arrive on time, you and I know what the outcome will be...

...as, these ones are not able to breathe natural air at that time.

Many more people died while I was there.
Some days were more peaceful and there are no deaths in our ward.
Some other days, it is as if all hell were let loose, and multiple deaths are recorded in just our small ward.

I was there for some 7 days or so. There was a new policy in place then, which means that after 7 days at the center, if you are steadily getting better instead of worse, then you are discharged to continue recovering at home.

Lessons learned

Staying at the Isolation center, and watching so many people breathe their last breath (or more aptly, die because of lack of it), I learned to appreciate life and live each day with gratitude.

The air we seem to take in and enjoy effortlessly, became very inaccessible to some people.

Each time someone/ some people die, there are this undertakers who have a specially colored coverall (yellow) and a very dramatic matching steps. They will come in spraying disinfectant from the door to the deceased bed, as well as the deceased itself.
Then, you watch as they take the deceased into a body bag, zip, and zoom off to the mortuary.

You may even be half asleep, and once you hear their steps, you know that someone had died in your ward...
and that they had come to take the person away.

Having watched so many bodies (in just about 7 days) got sprayed and taken away, I also learned that there is nothing in this life to unnecessarily be pompous about, nor kill yourself for.
Once the breath is taken away from you, what else?

Live your life now, enjoy the life you have today, tomorrow, next, each and every day you got.

Live a just one. live with the consciousness that it is transient, and that when it is over, you'll give account of what you have done or not done here.

Is COVID-19 Real?

I will let you decide on that one.

However, I don't see why our government who has NDDC, NNPC, etc, to loot from, as they have always shown us, will be more interested in going to great lengths to deceive you just to loot money via COVID, whereas they could easily loot from any ministry or Agency as they have always done before.

Are some government people stealing money and getting rich from COVID-19?
Almost certainly, but then, this does not change the facts on ground regarding presence of COVID-19 for me.

Why do I not know anyone who was sick from COVID?

This is Nigeria, where vast majority of people hide their health status and all that. Up till today no one in my place of residence knew of my COVID Ordeal. I didn't want gossips and stigmatization. So, I quietly left early in the morning, and came back in the night when I was discharged.

In fact, just one of my friends were told. Fewer people in my family knew this too.

In fact, a certain weekends family member confided in e that he too had COVID, only after I told him of my ordeal.

So, this might be why you don't easily know about this.

Is COVID killing mainly the RICH in Nigeria?

Please, don't make me laugh so hard.

Just like any health issues, COVID kills the poor by far... At least, there are much more poor people than the rich.

At the Isolation center, in the ward were I was admitted, there were always at least 90% ordinary people there.

The fact is simple. When a poor man dies,
It's mostly his family and friends that get to hear about it.

On the other hand, the elite are typically better known.
So, the death of the rich or the elites will be news by bloggers and others. That's how you get to know.

This is basic wisdom, and if you have not thought of it that way, then you may need to question your wisdom, just a little bit, lol.


Why has most people not wondered on this?

Misinformation is very dangerous.
Many in the US believed that COVID was nothing serious and refused to use face mask. This is just because TRUMP had told them that they shouldn't worry.

It was later revelled in a book by a reputable journalist, that as early as the beginning of the pandemic, Trump had secretly acknowledged to him that "this is very bad"

There's two lessons to learn here:

(1) Reality is reality, whether you accept it or not. Denials don't change it.

(2) You can only change reality when you acknowledge it, then take necessary actions, whether faith based or otherwise.


Wisdom does not rush to judgment. It contemplates, it thinks deeper. It is not hasty, hence it questions stereotypes and makes its own conclusions based on facts not hearsay. It is not afraid to stand alone, if it is right.

Please, don't argue further, nobody will ever give you an award for finding out that 'the government was lying ' to you.

Mask up. Use your hand sanitizers after touching some high risk surfaces like money and door handles, etc.

Remember, even as you are young, you could still get this and even die from it (however unlikely)

Also remember this: you may live carelessly and get this and give it to your older folks.
Imagine if any of them dies, and you knew that you were the careless one that brought it home.
Yes, at that point, you are forced to believe, but then, you also carry the extra guilt of knowing that you caused the suffering and/or death of your older parents or family members.

Finally, I must mention that, the fact that we didn't see the very highly ugly face of COVID in Nigeria up till now still feels like a mystery to many people.
I believe God knew how poorly prepared we were and still are.

But as infection rates are rising again,
Let us now be more proactive in helping ourselves to combat this.

The very tricky thing about an infection so communicable as the COVID, is that even when you are trying your own best to stay safe, it is weakened by other people's carelessness.

Imagine where you did all your best, and a family member who chooses to be careless now brings it home for everybody to catch.

So, we must be united this time in fighting this. It is far cheaper than when you or your loved one is hospitalised or even worse.

A word is enough for a wise.



@Mynd22
@lalasticlala

Please, someone should help this to get to the front page for a wider reach.

Plenty moral lesson

Ummm

Hmmmm

Think Deeper your account of surviving the corona virus ward is both educational and utterly terrifying. You have ventured deep into the inner circle of hell itself, and yet, with your faith, you miraculously pulled through. My hat is off to you sir, for the good fortune that enabled you to live, and share your tale of abject horror on the pages of this forum.

To those wishful thinkers who STILL imagine the corona virus to be non-existent, who gallivant around without wearing a mask, and without taking precautions of any sort, Charles Darwin is waiting patiently, seated beside the Grim Reaper, to take final possession of your souls one by one.

For all others who are blessed with that rare commodity known as "common sense", I salute your survival instinct, and applaud your dogged adherence to government guidelines that are publicized to reduce the death toll of this extremely contagious, unforgiving contagion that is sweeping our fragile planet with a vengeance, even as I type these words.

Many lessons here.
The Covid is a scam gang should take a breath and think again.
Thanks for sharing bro.

Jakumo:
Think Deeper your account of surviving the corona virus ward is both educational and utterly terrifying.

For all others who are blessed with that rare commodity known as "common sense", I salute your survival instinct, and applaud your dogged adherence to government guidelines that are publicized to reduce the death toll of this extremely contagious, unforgiving contagion that is sweeping our fragile planet with a vengeance, even as I type these words.

Thanks for being part of the smart ones, who know that it's far profitable to be overcautious than being careless altogether.

Just this morning, a man just close to me was carelessly sneasing into the air where we have 6 people sitted together.

I was wearing my mass of course, but the other 5 were not.

I gently reminded him of the need to cover his mouth, and NEXT he went on to start all those their painful argument and, man, I was not just having that strength for arguments this particular morning. So, I just took a pass.

Anyways, I hope stories like this will help people (especially young people like us) to know that this thing is soooo real, and can get to anybody, regardless of age.

Lexio01:
Many lessons here.

The Covid is a scam gang should take a breath and think again.

Thanks for sharing bro.

They just need to think again, and think whether they want to submit there heads to be used for testing the hardness of a coconut.

ThinkDeeperNow:
Thanks for being part of the smart ones, who know that it's far profitable to be overcautious than being careless altogether.

Just this morning, a man just close to me was carelessly sneasing into the air where we have 6 people sitted together.

I was wearing my mass of course, but the other 5 were not.

I gently reminded him of the need to cover his mouth, and NEXT he went on to start all those their painful argument and, man, I was not just having that strength for arguments this particular morning. So, I just took a pass.

Anyways, I hope stories like this will help people (especially young people like us) to know that this thing is soooo real, and can get to anybody, regardless of age.

Over the past few days, there have been massive streets riots in towns like Rotterdam, Holland, because thousands of wild-eyed ignoramuses remain convinced that the corona virus is not real, and therefore are all demanding to be "freed" from lockdown. Very likely, those riots will result in a massive upsurge in virus infections, hospitalizations, and agonizing deaths in Holland, where many of those rioters will realize, far too late, that massing in the streets during a raging pandemic, was going to cost them their very lives.

Common sense has never been common, as the saying goes.

Jakumo:
Over the past few days, there have been massive streets riots in towns like Rotterdam, Holland, because thousands of wild-eyed ignoramuses remain convinced that the corona virus is not real, and therefore are all demanding to be "freed" from lockdown. Very likely, those riots will result in a massive upsurge in virus infections, hospitalizations, and agonizing deaths in Holland, where many of those rioters will realize, far to late, that massing in the streets was about to cost them their very lives.

Common sense has never been common, as the saying goes.

Indeed, it appears that the 'COMMON' in common sense does not stand for common...

I realized long ago (yet quite late) that human beings are not really creations of logic (both men & women).

Now, some of us are more logical than others.
But, human beings can so easily be manipulated. Just appeal to their fears, or their weaker side, and emotions overflow.
And the worst is this, we then start confusing emotional actions/beliefs for Logical ones.

Even a well educated man/woman can be quite decieved with one conspiracy theory or another.

Even in the US where people are dying in droves, sone still are doubting and following what trump was saying.
Whereas Trump himself secretly acknowledged that he knew and believed that this virus is 'serious'

ThinkDeeperNow:
Indeed, it appears that the 'COMMON' in common sense does not stand for common...

I realized long ago (yet quite late) that human beings are not really creations of logic (both men & women).

Now, some of us are more logical than others.
But, human beings can so easily be manipulated. Just appeal to their fears, or their weaker side, and emotions overflow.
And the worst is this, we then start confusing emotional actions/beliefs for Logical ones.

Even a well educated man/woman can be quite decieved with one conspiracy theory or another.

Even in the US where people are dying in droves, sone still are doubting and following what trump was saying.
Whereas Trump himself secretly acknowledged that he knew and believed that this virus is 'serious'

Your pen-name is very appropriately chosen. Above are the words of a deep thinker, which makes you a rarity in today's world of rampaging sheep herds, all running amok, after leaving their little brains idling in neutral gear.

Good thing you survived your brush with death, sir. The Creator certainly has more important work lined up ahead, along the road of your life, so you were spared a fate that worldwide has already claimed 2 million souls, and counting.

Covid is real but I do not believe this your tale or you embellished it with some untruths.
The particular part I find untrue is this:
You claim you were having breathing difficulties after your diagnosis but for several days till you got yourself to the isolation centre,you by inference got no treatment and where at home.
My friend if you were having breathing problems without proper treatment and specific medications it would been worse as the days passed and you wouldn't have been able to make that journey to the covid centre,as you claimed,on your own.

seborrhic:
Covid is real but I do not believe this your tale or you embellished it with some untruths.
The particular part I find untrue is this:
You claim you were having breathing difficulties after your diagnosis but for several days till you got yourself to the isolation centre,you by inference got no treatment and where at home.
My friend if you were having breathing problems without proper treatment and specific medications it would been worse as the days passed and you wouldn't have been able to make that journey to the covid centre,as you claimed,on your own.

Sherlock Holmes would flog you for this failing attempt at detective work. When corona catches up with you, please at least remember to come and describe your experience here.

Covid 19 is real but it is over hyped. Covid19 has a 99% recovery rate. How can you lockdown the whole country on a disease that has 99% recovery rate.

Jakumo:
Your pen-name is very appropriately chosen. Above are the words of a deep thinker, which makes you a rarity in today's world of rampaging sheep herds, all running amok, after leaving their little brains idling in neutral gear.

Good thing you survived your brush with death, sir. The Creator certainly has more important work lined up ahead, along the road of your life, so you were spared a fate that worldwide has already claimed 2 million souls, and counting.

Exactly bro, that's why I keep reminding myself to make the most of each day and opportunity, as I was spared for a reason.

This includes trying to educate many people each day. From my Street, My Church to the people I encounter each day, I try to use every opportunity to try to make a superior aguement with duobters in hopes they will turn around.

Thanks again.

Jakumo:
Sherlock Holmes would flog you for this failing attempt at detective work. When corona catches up with you, please at least remember to come and describe your experience here.

@Sherlock Holmes will understand he's a mere mortal with zero detective instincts.

But, I do think people bask in ignorance, whilst calling it wisdom and knowledge.

He clearly knows nothing about this disease. However, I will just go and educate him a little right now.

seborrhic:
Covid is real but I do not believe this your tale or you embellished it with some untruths.
The particular part I find untrue is this:
You claim you were having breathing difficulties after your diagnosis but for several days till you got yourself to the isolation centre,you by inference got no treatment and where at home.
My friend if you were having breathing problems without proper treatment and specific medications it would been worse as the days passed and you wouldn't have been able to make that journey to the covid centre,as you claimed,on your own.

So, I'm glad you do agree that Covid is real. But then, nobody will give you any trophies for figuring it out (I believe tgat at this point, everyone agrees that there's Covid, their argument is about its seriousness and whether it is exagerated)

Now, about why I was able to 'easily' make it to the hospital after several days of difficulty breathing without treatment.
You should know that everyone does not have the same severity, and when it comes to Covid (or any disease for that matter) everyone's health doesn't deteriorate at the same rate. Immune strength and response, Genetics/family history and the current health status of the individual are all key factors.

First of all, know this: there was no specific drugs/medication for difficulty breathing (please, don't say what you don't know). I mean what would be the job of such drugs? To the best of my knowledge, difficulty breathing is not a disease but a symptom of something else (and in this case, COVID attack)

The drugs given at Isolation centers are just VITAMIN C, CALCUIM, (otherwise collectively called Immune Boosters)
Then, there's also this certain Anti Viral drugs (BIG and dark orange in color)

So, there is no specific medication/ treatment for those with difficulty breathing (other than putting them on Oxygen if one's case seems serious enough for concern)

The idea, is for you to have steady oxygen supply to let your organs staay alive, while your own body fight the virus and fight for its life.

According to doctors, you may have a milder form of difficulty breathing, and then stayed at home and became well after few days, without even having any extra oxygen or visiting a hospital.
Yet, this is very dangerous on its own.

So, a very good and wise reason why it is strongly advised to be in hospital (and this is veeeerrry important) if your symptoms includes difficulty breathing is this; since difficulty breathing is not a disease, it does not necessarily kill, except your breath suddenly seized for quite some time. However, because you are not breathing in well/ taking in enough oxygen, the oxygen concentration level in your blood may drop to dangerously low levels without your knowledge, and you become too weak, and your organs haven starved for adequate oxygen for several hours/days without your knowledge. And at this time, it may be too late for you to get to a hospital for supplementary oxygen, before it becomes fatal.
Even when one makes it to a hospital at that time, the organs be have become irreparably damaged, and could well lead to fatality

BTW, the reason for difficulty in breathing in most cases, is that the lung/s is/are being attacked and some of its parts are not working properly at that time.

However, Some peoples immune system are able to fight off the virus after just a few days. So, in such case, after, say Four (4) days of appearing very bad or worsening, the body starts getting better, since the lungs are not being held to ransom by the virus again, and so is now healing back little by little.

That's seemed to be my case, because right from the day I went to Isolation, I was getting better so quickly that doctord considered discharging me even before the regular 7 days (hospital policy at that time) was due.

We should be glad that somehow Covid was not as ruthless here in Nigeria (as in not as contagious as seen in the Western world)

I expected people to marvel at this, and question "why are we miraculously not seeing terrible numbers here".

Instead, people devote their time to questioning, "why are we even seeing numbers at all" and accusing government of inflating the numbers of infection.

I have heard people say that it is God's work, and I totally agree because we all know that based on whats happening in Western world, It would have been massively terrible in Nigeria (given our poor health care institutions and poor everything in fact)

We should be grateful that it is not too bad in Nigeria, despite all our carelessness.

Finally, what will be my gain to come here and be lying about anything at all?

How will I have such time?
Am I that jobless?
I had to create some time off work today to answer all comment here, and you believe somehow I might be loving the idea of throwing in a lie or two,

I mean who will now pay me for such lies? Who does it benefit sef?

Unknown31:
Covid 19 is real but it is over hyped. Covid19 has a 99% recovery rate. How can you lockdown the whole country on a disease that has 99% recovery rate.

Please, don't take this question personal. Itdoes not need insult or "back-to-sender", because it's not my wish to you.
Even if it is my wish to you, it won't even happen.
So relax.
Here comes the question.

If you can somehow see the future, and you were shown that a very beloved person in your life is among that 1% unfortunate ones who end up dying from this disease, would you still consider this a mere 1% statistics?

Would you not recommend that lockdown to save that loved one?

People who die (your 1%) are peoples beloved ones.
They are not just numbers.

If you see what I saw, people dying alone without their families seeing them or holding their hands in that final and painful moments...
...and their families know this too and it breaks there hearts that they were not there.

So, nxt time, b4 you say 99% survives, remember that, that 1% are people's newly married wife's, mothers, husbands, children, etc.

Without lockdown in places like America, most likely by now, almost everyone in US might have been infecfed at some point, and since the average death rate is actually about 3% and not your 1%.

At least 9 to 10 million Americans would have died.b(US population is about 324 Million people)

Now do you clearly see what numbers written as percentages can mask?
3% looks simple, but 10 million does not.

ThinkDeeperNow:
According to doctors, you may have a milder form of difficulty breathing, and then stayed at home and became well after few days, without even having any extra oxygen or visiting a hospital.
Yet, this is very dangerous on its own.

So, a very good and wise reason why it is strongly advised to be in hospital (and this is veeeerrry important) if your symptoms includes difficulty breathing is this; since difficulty breathing is not a disease, it does not necessarily kill, except your breath suddenly seized for quite some time.

However, because you are not breathing in well/ taking in enough oxygen, the oxygen concentration level in your blood may drop to dangerously low levels without your knowledge, and you become too weak, and your organs haven starved for adequate oxygen for several hours/days without your knowledge. And at this time, it may be too late for you to get to a hospital for supplementary oxygen, before it becomes fatal.
Even when one makes it to a hospital at that time, the organs be have become irreparably damaged, and could well lead to fatality

These two paragraphs were actually quite unsettling. Many like me are extremely reluctant to go anywhere near a hospital during this pandemic, because the odds of breathing the same air as a Covid patient, rise dramatically within medical facilities, thereby instilling the mindset that only the severest of symptoms should necessitate a resort to hospitalization.

An existential dilemma now torments my mind, as I contemplate what steps to take in the event that myself or a loved one were to contract this dreaded virus. Do I go to a hospital where emergency oxygen supplies may or may not be adequate ? Or, do I remain at home at the onset of "mild" breathing difficulties, so as to avoid the virus-laden air within any hospital ?

This got me to wondering whether it might be worthwhile for people to purchase their own pre-filled oxygen tanks, along with the all-important pressure regulator and face-mask attachments that hospitals affix to oxygen tanks for patient usage. All car body welding shops buy six-foot tall oxygen cylinders, which currently cost in the region of 4 thousand naira to refill.

The pressure-reducing regulator that MUST be threaded unto the high-pressure nozzle of the oxygen tank, will certainly be of a distinct design specification, if intended for welding applications, as opposed to pressure regulators suitable for medical patient use, yet one would assume that both types of regulator are readily available in welding and medical supply shops respectively, though most likely of different price points.

You got me thinking deep, man, and your writeup about the subtle yet progressive effect of oxygen starvation, has now inspired me to set up my own pre-emptive oxygen supply system to keep on standby at home, just in case my number comes up in the corona sweepstakes, despite my religious adherence to ALL preventative social distancing measures advised by the medical profession.

The paragraphs you wrote, that I have singled out for quotation here, may, in the fullness of time, save the lives of more than one reader who frequents this discussion forum, IF they opt to prepare for the unthinkable, as I am doing while I type these words. Thanks so much for sharing these insights that never previously appeared on my radar screen as significant concerns. I tip my hat to you sir, for this life-saving idea you just gave me.

Hmmmmm

It is educative.
Corona is real.
There are many unexplained sudden death nowadays.
Most probably is from corona.

ThinkDeeperNow:
Please, don't take this question personal. Itdoes not need insult or "back-to-sender", because it's not my wish to you.
Even if it is my wish to you, it won't even happen.
So relax.
Here comes the question.

If you can somehow see the future, and you were shown that a very beloved person in your life is among that 1% unfortunate ones who end up dying from this disease, would you still consider this a mere 1% statistics?

It is going to be painful, but I will still consider the 1%. Why? because it gives hope that you can survive the disease.

Would you not recommend that lockdown to save that loved one?

No. There are higher chances that my loved ones will die from a car accident, malaria, cancer, and armed robbery. But I will not lock down the whole country for 1%. Last year, More people died from car accidents than Covid19, but are people calling for the lockdown on transportation?.

People who die (your 1%) are peoples beloved ones.
They are not just numbers.

Yes. they are my loved ones and still, they are numbers.

If you see what I saw, people dying alone without their families seeing them or holding their hands in that final and painful moments...
...and their families know this too and it breaks there hearts that they were not there.

So, nxt time, b4 you say 99% survives, remember that, that 1% are people's newly married wife's, mothers, husbands, children, etc.

True. But we need these statistics to know how serious disease is. I am more scared of malaria than covid19, I am more scared of a car accident than covid19, I am more scared of the increasing armed robbery in Lagos than covid19.

Without lockdown in places like America, most likely by now, almost everyone in US might have been infecfed at some point, and since the average death rate is actually about 3% and not your 1%.

At least 9 to 10 million Americans would have died.b(US population is about 324 Million people)

I loved that you used statistics here. For 2019-2020, the US had up to 56 million cases of flu and over 20,000 death but did they lockdown? No. So saying if no lockdown, the death number will be 9 to 10 million will be statistically wrong.

Now do you clearly see what numbers written as percentages can mask?
3% looks simple, but 10 million does not.

Jakumo:
These two paragraphs were actually quite unsettling. Many like me are extremely reluctant to go anywhere near a hospital during this pandemic, because the odds of breathing the same air as a Covid patient, rise dramatically within medical facilities, thereby instilling the mindset that only the severest of symptoms should necessitate a resort to hospitalization.

An existential dilemma now torments my mind, as I contemplate what steps to take in the event that myself or a loved one were to contract this dreaded virus. Do I go to a hospital where emergency oxygen supplies may or may not be adequate ? Or, do I remain at home at the onset of "mild" breathing difficulties, so as to avoid the virus-laden air within any hospital ?

This got me to wondering whether it might be worthwhile for people to purchase their own pre-filled oxygen tanks, along with the all-important pressure regulator and face-mask attachments that hospitals affix to oxygen tanks for patient usage. All car body welding shops buy six-foot tall oxygen cylinders, which currently cost in the region of 4 thousand naira to refill.

The pressure-reducing regulator that MUST be threaded unto the high-pressure nozzle of the oxygen tank, will certainly be of a distinct design specification, if intended for welding applications, as opposed to pressure regulators suitable for medical patient use, yet one would assume that both types of regulator are readily available in welding and medical supply shops respectively, though most likely of different price points.

You got me thinking deep, man, and your writeup about the subtle yet progressive effect of oxygen starvation, has now inspired me to set up my own pre-emptive oxygen supply system to keep on standby at home, just in case my number comes up in the corona sweepstakes, despite my religious adherence to ALL preventative social distancing measures advised by the medical profession.

The paragraphs you wrote, that I have singled out for quotation here, may, in the fullness of time, save the lives of more than one reader who frequents this discussion forum, IF they opt to prepare for the unthinkable, as I am doing while I type these words. Thanks so much for sharing these insights that never previously appeared on my radar screen as significant concerns. I tip my hat to you sir, for this life-saving idea you just gave me.

Sorry I couldn't make out time throughout the weekend to reply you.

Let me start by saying that, keeping and using oxygen at home is not to be a Self-prescribed help.

Ideally, if it must be, there must be at least some basic safety training and more, before it can be safely used.

What some people tend to do, is to have this oxygen-making machine. Normally, it works with electricity, and is portable. I believe it uses water to extract oxygen. I'm not really sure it's principle of operation. But it makes a mid-low noise and some people at the isolation center were given that type (I believe, mostly those who are no longer in severe need of oxygen...it was my personal observation though, and I might be wrong on why they were given that type)

I heard some richer people saying that they have that machine at home.

Again, oxygen is not cheap I believe.
A 3 feet Cylinder might not be less than 20k to 30k (based on some seemingly true grapevine talks)

But then, there's a small handheld type being caring in ambulances to help sustain people till they get to the hospital.
So, after due safety training on oxygen use at home, I could recommend that type. Solely for emmergency use, and not as a long-term therapy.

Finally, God forbid it, but if a loved one (or someone) should ever develope difficulty breathing at this time, the best would be to look for a safe center to get tested (maintain highest safety protocols while there pleeeeaaasse).

If it comes back positive, then the fear of going to an isolation center/hospital shouldn't be there again (don't you agree?)

At this time, the best I believe, should be to go to a place where you can get all the oxygen he/she may need at the expense of NG government.

See, in my observation, people who stay on oxygen throughout the day, typically use about 3 cylinders (3 feet) in a single day ( I have seen some humor than that sef)

That will be beteeen 60k to 90k per day.

But then, the best as I know you are imagining right now, will be to continue doing all one can do to remain safe...
And/or to hope that even if it comes, it will be a very, very mild one.

All the best to you my brother, and your family too.

juman:
Hmmmmm

It is educative.
Corona is real.
There are many unexplained sudden death nowadays.
Most probably is from corona.

Thank you,

Indeed, there's been some mentioned unexplained deaths. Sometimes, the authority comes out to say they suspected it might be Covid, and sometimes nothing much is being said.

...and please keep doing all in your power to keep yourself and your loved ones protected.
To me, it is one of the greatest call to duty at this time: to think about the safety of members of your household above all, and so make necessary sacrifices to keep all safe.
Because, the weakest can always bring it home, even when others have done their part.

Unknown31:
It is going to be painful, but I will still consider the 1%. Why? because it gives hope that you can survive the disease.


I loved that you used statistics here. For 2019-2020, the US had up to 56 million cases of flu and over 20,000 death but did they lockdown? No. So saying if no lockdown, the death number will be 9 to 10 million will be statistically wrong.

I'm very glad that you really seem like a very smart person.

Therefore, let me engage you on that line of thought.

First, the FLU is by far less contagious than COVID.
Its mortality rate, is also by a very wide margin much less than that of COVID.

Secondly, There are YEARLY vaccines for the FLU. So, even at a very low transmission and mortality rate, some of those who get the FLU eventually, were already vaccinated, and so it is less of sickness to them.

Thirdly, COViD is a new phenomenon, you don't even know what its long term effect will/could be on a person/population that suffered it.
Some are saying that survivors could now have 'COVID-19' as a pre-existing (no one knows for sure, but then, that's why you dont just say let 1% die, and the world moves on)
If it becomes a future pre-existing condition, it will have its BIG effect on the health care system in the coming years.
So, the more the number of people who survived it (due to your ''let's expose them and let 99% survive'') the more the potential future burden on healthcare system and to individuals and their families.

FINALLY, based on the transmission rate of COVID, indeed, if there was never any lockdown, there would have been much more extensive damage to some major hit counties by now.

Look at what was happening in NEW YORK initially, why did you think that it couldn't have been happening in the whole of USA if the conditions that enabled new York deadly outbreak was replicated over the country?

This virus does not spread in Arithimetic Progression, but Geometric Progression.

So, you will see something like,from 1% to 4% to 15% to 40% etc...and that's how it could take over the whole country.

Just heed the warning of science and Medicine.
Science gave you maleria medicine, and you had no issues with it. But now science seems to be at fault because you don't agree with it now.
It is rather funny, because we rely a lot on science these days.

You speak of being more afraid of maleria than Covid.
But then, maleria is being checked, and not allowed to multiply as it liked. That's why UNICEF and WHO have campaigns for Free MOSQUITOE NETS, Maleria drugs, etc.

If maleria had no drugs, the way Government would be talking about prevention will scare the living daylights out of your eyes.

You could also check the meaning of 'VIRAL' again in your dictionary.
It spreads so fast. The only thing you hope about a viral disease is that it is not a brutal disease. If it is, you must run a race against time to get a vaccine and bring it under control.

Also, you talked about accidents.
Road safety is there trying to reduce drunk-driving, overspeeding.... Car manufacturers are also being held to a very high safety standards.

In summary, you dont fold ypur hands and watch anything have a field day against you or humanity for that matter...something must be done.
That is why lockdown was recommend (even though it is a tough choice, it is for the better)

Lockdown will.not likely be held in 2024 for this same matter, because by then vaccines and other findings would have helped to bring this under control.
Then, and only then are you free to maybe 'safely' treat this as 'another FLU'.

ThinkDeeperNow:
Thank you,

Indeed, there's been some mentioned unexplained deaths. Sometimes, the authority comes out to say they suspected it might be Covid, and sometimes nothing much is being said.

...and please keep doing all in your power to keep yourself and your loved ones protected.
To me, it is one of the greatest call to duty at this time: to think about the safety of members of your household above all, and so make necessary sacrifices to keep all safe.
Because, the weakest can always bring it home, even when others have done their part.

You are right.