If ever there was a time to stick together and support each other, it is now.
This was the advice given to Alex residents by Ward 116 councillor Adolph Marema following the pronouncement of a national state of disaster due to the Covid-19 outbreak. “The scourge said to be spreading and without a cure, can be mitigated through improved health and hygiene, like social distancing and testing with a view to getting treatment when with flu-like infection of fever, cough and shortness of breath,” Marema said.
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He advised residents to keep a social distance of 1m and more, self-isolation and adhere to quarantine measures when they have signs of flu. He pleaded with those who have pre-planned gatherings such as weddings and parties before the pronouncement to either postpone or count their losses and conduct low key gatherings of unavoidable ones such as funerals. “A prohibition of large gatherings has been gazetted by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and enforceable by the police,” Marema said while urging for cooperation and avoiding conflict with law enforcement.
He said another regulation was gazetted to curb the circulation of fake news on the virus intended to incite panic and stigma. This said after some citizens recently returned from China who were alleged to be infected. “Despite having been tested and found negative, they [citizens] were fearful of the stigma and their safety.” He urged residents to rather stand together against a collective challenge.
“Let’s put politics aside as the virus won’t choose, and wash our hands more regularly and after touching surfaces that could be infected.”
He encouraged the elderly above 60 years of age and those with HIV, TB and other chronic ailments to take extra care. “Twenty-seven per cent of the elderly are at major risk.”
He worried about the risk to those sharing ablutions particularly bucket toilets. “In some instances, 102 people use one toilet without cleaning chemicals and a water point. And, [many] people pass through each local mall daily oblivious of the lurking virus.”
Marema added that the social implications of the virus also included disadvantaged children falling behind in their education. “They will lag further behind while their rich counterparts progress by e-learning.”
With public offices operating at reduced hours, Marema also shares developments on the virus through a ward WhatsApp group. “They should also understand that councillors need to protect themselves in order to be there for them.”
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