…COVID-19 is real but we will beat it together

This morning I got a heart rending call from a man whose wife is a nurse at FMC Umuahia. She was among those who managed the index case in Abia State and now the whole family is on self isolation for 14 days. All the man is asking for is for us to organize a COVID-19 test for the whole family after the mandatory period of quarantine.

I assured him, on behalf of Governor Ikpeazu, that we will ensure that is done and that anything the family needs at this time will be provided even as we are praying for him and his household. I also spoke with the wife and assured her we are fully with her and the family at this time.

This family is one of many now in isolation because of the outbreak of COVID-19 in our state, yet, some persons still believe coronavirus is not real.

Again, today, I got another call from a friend of mine who told me his friend works at the same federal medical facility and they met on Monday for a drink. His friend is now in isolation and he is confused. In response, I pleaded with him to also go into isolation with all members of his family pending when the test result of his friend will come out and I thanked God (in my mind) that I’ve not seen him for over 2 weeks now.

These are not normal times and it hurts me when folks who do not understand what we are dealing with call me to say they went out to do this and that and were caught by enforcement agents and they need my intervention.

What are you doing outside, please?

We are now in uncharted territory and need everyone to do his/her bit to get out of this looming catastrophe. Stay at home and if you must go out to buy food or drugs, wear face masks and carry your hand sanitizer with you. While there, maintain social distance and when you get home go straight to the bathroom and also remember to iron whatever you wore.

Contact tracing is ongoing with regard to the index cases but I must confess to the people of Abia State that the loop is wide. Very wide and scary. Yet, I know deep down that this has come to pass and will certainly pass quickly if you do your own bit.

A million salutes to men and women at the frontline of this war on COVID-19. From the team that risk their lives daily to collect samples from suspects through those doing the contact tracing all the way to all the wonderful medical practitioners in our state, including nurses, lab attendants and even drivers and security men, you are all heroes of this war. Stay safe and wear the personal protective equipment already issued to you and remove them after each use as medically advised.

We shall overcome this ‘war’ imposed on us, in Jesus name. No sacrifice is too much to make at this time, including abandoning money making ventures.

Ndu kariri ihe eji azu ya!

JOK