An Academic Writing by Justice Obiri (A Diploma holder in Computer Networking) and Maxwell Yeboah (A Mechanical Engineering Student of UNER)

This Report is purely research based and the country of focus was Ghana. However, lessons can be learnt and applied in other countries from the report. 

Covid19 is a new dawn of darkness that has brought darkness to the entire world. It has led to closure of businesses, schools, tourism facilities and other vital social places that helps individuals to relax or take care of themselves. Covid19 is a virus related disease that affects mainly the breathing ability of its victims. Victims of this disease with serious acute diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and blood pressure could be at risk of death if they contract it. Of all the dangers associated with Covid19, there is a good side to it. Practicing simple precautionary measures such as wearing face and nose masks, regularly washing the hands, sanitising the hands frequently, and practicing social distancing could protect the body against this deadly Covid19. But as humans as we are, some of us just do not know when to stay off the limit. Our attitudes towards this virus, could actually lead to its massive spread amongst us, and some of these attitudes are captured below.

One key way of protecting oneself from this virus is to wear a face mask (others may refer to it nose mask), regardless of its name its function is very key here. Medically, a good face mask would prevent the Covid19 virus from getting into contact with the mouth or nose which is an opening through which the virus can easily get into the body. This mask is supposed to be put on at all times especially when one is amongst others; being it publicly or privately. But Ghanaians have taken this to be a new fashion, where instead of wearing the mask to cover the nose and mouth, we mostly see the mask covering just the jaw. I do not know if the mask was designed for the jaw or the mouth and the nose. Further questioning brings up this shady idea that breathing in the mask is difficult and it makes one feel very uncomfortable. Are you interested in your comfort or your safety? A food for thought! The directive is simple, wear your mask to fit the nose and the mouth, the mask is not for the jaw. Without the mask, one can easily contract and spread this deadly Covid19 since it has been proven to be airborne.  

In our quest to fight the spread of Covid19, another important measure laid to be followed is simply practicing personal hygienic measures such as washing hands regularly and using hand sanitisers very regularly. It has been proven that soap and alcohol based hand sanitisers can kill the Covid19 virus when in contact. What this means is that, simply washing the hands with soap under running water for about 20 seconds can prevent one from contracting the virus and possibly spreading it. How often do we us Ghanaians wash our hands? Some institutions have brought up safety practices like washing of hands before entering its apartments, but some of us still do not wash our hands before entering these apartments. A carrier of this virus can easily affect even a door knob if the hands are not washed, another person comes into contact with this door knob and contracts the virus and the chain of spread continues from there.

Every now and then, we see messages from the Ministry of Health asking us to spread calm not fear. My question is “Why should I spread calm and not fear?”. I ask such a question and this is because the people are not afraid of the virus, majority do not see how serious it is, so spreading calm would only escalate their confidence to stay off the safety protocols laid to help curb the spread of the virus. A little fear should be added to the messages, show the real pictures of what one goes through when he or she contracts the virus to slow the spread and to encourage others to practice safety in whatever they do. Spread the calm but when fear needs to be meted out, do it without thinking twice.

Covid19 has come to destroy those who would give it the chance, it does not know the rich or the poor. Stay safe and practice the safety precautions laid down by the authorities, our lives lay in our own hands.