An article that showcases the cause, effect, and outcome of the novel virus tagged CORONAVIRUS, which is also known as COVID-19.
By: Esan Femi Williams
There is nothing scarier and disastrous than hanging one's one leg up while the other leg is wiped off the ground unannounced. Covid-19 has been a dreadful and global pandemic which has plunged many nations into anxiety and fear of uncertainty of which Nigeria is not an exception. The COVID-19 outbreak has since spread to about 196 countries and territories in every continent and one international conveyance across the globe. Over 3million coronavirus cases and over 260 thousands deaths have been recorded globally, as the world continues to battle the August pandemic. Even before the outbreak, the outlook for the world economy and especially developing countries like Nigeria was fragile, as global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was estimated to be only 2.5 percent in 2020. While many developing countries have recorded relatively fewer cases, Nigeria currently has 2,950 confirmed cases and 98 deaths as of the time of drafting this writeup. The weak capacity of health care systems in these countries, most especially in Nigeria, is likely to exacerbate the pandemic and its impact on their economies.
Etymologically, the generally acclaimed COVID-19 pandemic is a disease caused by a kind of coronavirus which first originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Cases of Covid-19 first emerged in late 2019, when a mysterious illness was reported in Wuhan, China. The cause of the disease was soon confirmed as a new kind of coronavirus, and the infection has since spread to many countries around the world and become a pandemic. On 11 February the World Health Organization announced that the official name would be covid-19, a shortened version of coronavirus disease 2019. The WHO refers to the specific virus that causes this disease as the covid-19 virus. This is not the formal name for the virus. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses calls it the “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2”, or SARS-CoV-2, because it is related to the virus that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003. However, to avoid confusion with SARS the WHO calls it the covid-19 virus when communicating with the public. Early in the outbreak, the virus was called 2019-nCoV by the WHO. The virus is also often referred to as the novel coronavirus, 2019 coronavirus or just the coronavirus.
THE REALITY OF LOCKDOWN DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
It has, indeed, been a trying time and period for Nigeria, a period that was never planned for. Even before covid-19 surfaced, most Nigerians have been battling with hunger, poverty among other sordid realities. However, it is quite apparent that the greater effect of these sad realities seemed unnoticed until the total lockdown was issued by the Nigerian government in order to curb the widespread of the deadly Coronavirus. Now, the reality of the lives of poor Nigerians is laid bare before the government as people struggle to survive and feed themselves during the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
Staying at home is good. Staying safe is crucial. But can people survive without food? Restrictions of movement and activities are greatly hindering many from putting food on their families' table. Movement restrictions have not only reduced the consumption of nonessential commodities in general, but have affected the income-generating capacity of these groups, thus reducing their consumption expenditure. Majority of Nigerians depend on their daily business to survive. However, de-facto, this same set of people are being restricted from carrying out their daily activities. How does the government expect them to survive? Though, the government claims it is distributing palliatives to citizens, what are the machineries and mechanisms being set up to make such palliatives go round or to adequately serve and sustain the specific citizens that need them? What is the fate of the helpless citizens when distribution of these palliatives are politicized? Can these meet the people's numerous needs?
EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON THE EDUCATION SECTOR
The decision to close down all educational institutions and schools across the globe in an attempt to contain the pandemic has also led to a soaring number of children, youth and adults not attending schools. According to UNESCO Monitoring report on COVID-19 educational disruption and response, the impact of school closures in the over 100 countries that have implemented the decisions around the world has impacted over half of the global students’ population. These educational disruptions are being escalated particularly for the most vulnerable members of the society. Nigeria has shut down all educational institutions in the country since tje past one and half months now. The government however recently suggested the commencement of online based classes, to sustain the culture of learning amongst Students in the country. In the actual sense, Nigeria hasn't reached the peak of technological development to channel such initiative without a breakdown. And this has caused the decision to stand still, which has gradually become a thing of the past today.
THE FEAR OF ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Another problem the COVID-19 pandemic has caused is the prices of goods that have skyrocketed beyond measure. The lockdown has caused the price of goods to rise astronomically. Many traders are seeing this as an avenue for them to make money. To be candid, these traders cannot be totally blamed. However, they should understand that this is not the period to make excessive gains on sales. Hence, everything should be balanced for the sake of the masses. De-facto, Business actvities have been marred and disrupted globally as Covid-19 pandemic deteriorates. Legal gatherings, sporting activities, conferences, economic transactions, have all been disrupted worldwide by the August outbreak. Economically, the global supply chain substantially relies on production from China. The disruption in China has however affected nearly all economies and markets. Sequel to that, American, European and African markets have been on a dyspeptic run. While the World actively pursues a vaccine to combat the pandemic, the pandemic has however dilapidated the nation's economy. Considering the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s recent estimation, Nigeria’s economy is likely to shrink by 3.4 percent this year. This implies that a nation of over 200 million people may likely face a recession lasting until 2021. As a result of the imminent recession threat, Nigeria is now seeking more than $7 billion as emergency funds from international lenders including the IMF, World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank even as Nigeria’s credit rating in recent weeks on the oil slump has greatly dwindled, as the country still grapples with the shock of recovery from the 2016 economic recession which was a fall out of global oil price crash and insufficient foreign exchange earnings to meet imports. Also, the price of Brent crude was just over $26 per barrel on April 2, whereas Nigeria’s budget assumes a price of $57 per barrel and would still have run on a 2.18 trillion naira ($6.05 billion) deficit. Similarly, with oil accounting for 90 percent of Nigeria’s exports, the decline in the demand for oil and oil prices will adversely affect the volume and value of net exports. Indeed, the steep decline in oil prices associated with the pandemic has necessitated that the Nigerian government cut planned expenditure. Besides, the downward review of the budget and contractions in public spending could be devastating on poverty and unemployment. The last unemployment report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) ranks Nigeria 21st among 181 countries with an unemployment rate of about 23.1%. The country has also been rated as the poverty capital of the world with an estimated 87 million people living on less than $2 a day threshold.
Also, instability in payment of workers' salaries in some parts of the country is another contributing factor. The best time to pay withheld salaries is now! If possible, some increments can even be considered. If salaries are paid, workers will be able to put food on their table.
INSECURITY INCURRED BY COVID-19
The rate of crime in our society recently has become outrageous due to the COVID-19 lockdown incurred hardship and pain on some citizens, as some also hide under the umbrella of the deadly pandemic, hence venting their negative feelings on other citizens. Both the elite and the masses cannot sleep with their two eyes closed. Life and properties of people are at risk as a result of robbers' incessant attacks. Covid-19 lockdown has become an opportunity for hoodlums and street thugs to vent their negative feelings on common citizens, hence making them insecure, even in the face of hunger.
HEALTH ISSUES RESULTING FROM COVID-19 PANDEMIC
In fact, ever since the outbreak of this deadly virus, some hospitals have however become scary places for citizens to run to when having health issues. The reasons are not far-fetched. Since health workers are now falling victims of covid-19, great fear has aroused amidst them, hence causing them to lose their primary professional focus. Information has it that most medical centers now reject patients with health issues, either related to covid-19 or not. The question is, where should these common citizens run to for healthcare services? What is the hope of our sick people who have been stigmatized? Intuitively, the most dangerous part of these problems is that death may be looming! It is so evident that inasmuch people suffer the above problems, the tendency of dying prematurely is very high. Even the fear and trauma of hunger is far greater than that of COVID-19.
POSSIBLE POLICY RESPONSES THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED
Governments at all levels should try as much as possible to review existing measures put in place to cushion the effect of the ongoing lockdown in the country; As well, they should introduce more measures to accommodate fairness and equity. This really goes beyond mere distribution of palliatives to citizens. Distributing palliative isn't enough to subdue hunger. Moreover, not everyone has the opportunity to benefit from it, as the distribution is being politicized, with the larger parts of the palliatives being syphoned by parties top guns and agents. More attention should therefore be devoted to channelling alternative ways through, to getting the palliatives across to all and sundry. To better achieve this, palliative distribution should be under the watch of town heads in conjunction with street leaders. This will ensure that distribution goes round, as well as enhancing easy accessibility. Also, since inter-state movements have been suspended, debarring traders from getting new products, all state Governors should find a way of reaching unanimous agreement on how best to transport goods and commodities to their various states on specific days of the week through registered companies and firms across the states, in order to reduce incessant increase in the price of goods and commodities. Similarly, traders, businessmen and women should be allowed to transact businesses within specific hours of some days of the week, to allow them make sales; capable of sustaining themselves and their families. Again, payment of workers outstanding and current salaries should be one of the government's priorities. This will help sustain them even in the face of prolonged lockdown.
In the area of security, this is the best period for various regional security outfits to reignite, resuscitate, and fortify their grassroot security personnels in order to ensure peace and security in their different regions. Town and community heads should also follow suit by equipping their local guards to combat all forms of attack in their areas. Hospitals and health workers should be well-equipped with protective gears to protect them from falling prey to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only that, health officials should understand the fact that COVID-19 isn't a respecter of persons, hence, they should deem it fit to stick to all precautionary measures to avert mishap. People with health challenges should therefore be properly attended to without anyone being stigmatized out of fear of COVID-19. In addition, citizens in remote areas where COVID-19 isn't that rampant should endeavor to dabble into farming, especially during this raining season to improve food production. This will go a long way in managing hunger in the country and reduce the rising rate of food insecurity.
Finally, The COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call to policymakers as the unusual and unprecedented nature of the crisis has made it impossible for citizens to rely on foreign health care services and more difficult to solicit for international support given the competing demand for medical supplies and equipment. A more integrated response spanning several sectors including the health, finance, and trade sectors is required to address structural issues that make the country less resilient to shocks and limit its range of policy responses. In the long term, tougher decisions need to be made, including but not limited to diversifying the country’s revenue base away from oil exports and improving investments in the health care sector in ensuring that the economy is able to recover quickly from difficult conditions in the future.
HUMILITY AMIDST RAVAGING PESTILENCE; WHAT NIGERIANS NEED NOW.
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, ravaging and constituting so much distress to humanity at this point in time, there is need for Nigerians to exemplify high level of humility and absolute submission to their divine maker, as well as harkening to the clarion call for sober reflection. This is also, however, a call to good living and making new resolutions; a call to acknowledge our creator and run to him for directions; a call to repentance and outright change of lifestyle. Let's not wait until we start picking dead bodies on the streets. The Time is now, tomorrow may be too late.
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