Coronavirus impact on world economy is mind blowing

Dear Editor,

WHEN I first heard about coronavirus, I brushed it off as one of those things foreign governments make up to scare people especially Third World countries.

But after watching the lockdown in Italy and almost similar steps being taken in Spain and the United States (in some states), I am wondering just what monster we are dealing with.

I am really worried for developing countries which may not have capacity to deal with this both in terms of adequate testing and just managing population movement to prevent the spread of the disease.

It seems that most countries are relying on stopping public gatherings such as musicals, and any entertainment that requires gatherings. For developing countries with weak economies, such kind of measures will be devastating. But it is not like we have much choice in this disaster.

We should just be prepared for a lockdown also just like other countries are doing. We should have stock piles of food. Places like Luapula Province that produce cassava should be encouraged to start storing so that we do not panic if the worst was to happen.

Cassava is grown extebsuvekt in Luapula and Northern provinces and we should start thinking about expanding this food source.

Maize is proving to be problematic and it is important to promote our traditional local foods. Millet is another food source we need to promote to be appreciated by the rest of the country.

Who knows what we may benefit. The forefathers knew what they were doing when they ate millet. I must thank Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya for updating us and giving the necessary guidelines.

“IMPRESSED ZAMBIAN.