Social Distance to Live, Save Lives

Apr 11 , 2020
By Eden Sahle

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We may be living in uncertain times, but since our culture is deeply conservative there is barely any meaningful adaptation.

Ever since Ethiopia announced its first case of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), our social lives have received a profound restructuring. In keeping with the social distancing guidance by health professionals, many have been staying home and reducing physical contact to the absolute minimum. It is not merely an effort to protect oneself but to contribute to the fight against the pandemic.

Unfortunately, others are not playing by the new set of temporary rules that have been designated. People who have been given leave by their employers are using the opportunity to meet and socialise more.

This also applies to the civil servants who were excused from their work areas with the justification that they can work from home. It is obvious that in a country where neither the experience or infrastructure to telecommute exists, these civil servants are actually receiving paid leave. But even then, the least they could have done is adhere to the guidelines we are all being asked to follow.

At home, we have been receiving invitations from friends and relatives for get-togethers. Most of the people who are asking us to join them in their small parties are employees that have been directed to work from home.

Somehow, these temporary measures being asked of us have come to be interpreted by some people as an appeal that only applies to others. People are not taking measures nearly as seriously as they should be.

This will backfire on everyone. People need to be reminded that avoiding their responsibility is unethical and can cost them what is precious to them. The pandemic is not a crisis that can be taken trivially. It is costing lives across the world as well as in Ethiopia and will have dire consequences to our economy.

If tens of thousands are dying in countries with far more advanced health systems than we have, then the only possible course of action we can take is precautionary measures. It is unfortunate that these measures are being ignored even while there is an awareness creation campaign across the country.

In the time of COVID-19, ignorance breeds fatalities. The crisis is no longer a threat that is far away but a danger that is very close. The public must be informed of realities clearly so that the implications of action versus inaction are clearly understood.

Cognizant of our large population, the millions living under the poverty line and our poor health systems, we should not lack the patience to stay put just for a couple of months.

Indeed, it is annoying to be deprived of the routines that we are used to but the consequences if we do not change our ways are too high to consider. There is a great need to understand this and propagate the importance of social distancing as much as possible.

The state should come up with a more robust and persistent campaign not only through the media but community participation as well. An initiative similar to the system of health extension workers in rural areas, where awareness is brought directly to people's homes, is critical. Awareness is more effective than the response our health system can muster, and it needs to be created in order to help people understand how fatal and serious this pandemic is.

The massive outbreak and fatalities grieving the world should alarm the Ethiopian public enough to take matters seriously while communicating sensibly. We all have the responsibility to adjust to this new way of life.

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, people need to be urged to act responsibly, limiting their physical contact with others. Caution must be strictly practiced. In cases where people are breaking laws, they should be penalised after a clear set of rules are introduced.

Given that this global crisis will continue for a long time, it is vital to expect the public to demonstrate high standards of care and responsibility. We need to instill in ourselves a profound sense of responsibility that we can proudly tell the next generation about.

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PUBLISHED ON Apr 11,2020 [ VOL 21 , NO 1041]

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