Individual responsibility and self-discipline is important in our quest to prevent and combat the spread of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Even with the best prevention strategies, we will dismally fail to combat the monstrous pandemic if citizens continue to undermine the applicable health and safety rules.
As early as February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has publicly warned about the prowling dangers of Covid-19. WHO has made public all the health and safety measures that people must follow in order to stay safe and healthy. Through the mass media, WHO has adviced all people to avoid handshakes and hugs when greeting, and to regularly wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitiser.
In his poignant speech to the nation on 14 May 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa offered this advice: “There needs to be a fundamental shift in our thinking and our way of life. We need to take personal responsibility for our own health and the health of others. Hugging, the shaking of hands and kissing is a thing of the past. As restrictions are eased, we will need to observe social distancing even more carefully. Yes, we must always wear our masks whenever we leave home, wash our hands regularly with soap and water or sanitiser and avoid contact with other people.”
As citizens, we have the power to reduce and prevent the spread of the virus. If citizens continue to respect and uphold health and safety protocols, our country would be in a stronger position to defeat the virus. To contain and combat the pandemic, we are also urged to avoid visiting friends and family members. Citizens are strongly advised to leave their homes only for essential purposes. The most terrifying danger about Covid-19 is that it thrives on interactional movement between people and goods. The more we travel and move around, the more we increase our chances of contracting the virus. If we do not change our behaviour, this pandemic will continue to terrorise our lives.
We must faithfully adhere to the president’s greatly important counsel: “Our success in overcoming the Coronavirus will ultimately be determined by the changes we make in our behaviour, by the changes we make in how we move around, and by the changes we make in our personal interaction.” May God bless and protect all humanity!
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