Covid-19 — a two-year trance

TODAY marks exactly two years since President Mnangagwa made an unprecedented address to the country, arguably the first time in the history of Zimbabwe for a Head of State to appear on national television to announce a nationwide curfew and a partial closure of business to save lives.

The country was on a good economic streak, a disruption of that nature was the last thing the national leadership and citizens needed. However, the threat which confronted the world required that governments exercise caution to protect citizens — Zimbabwe was no exception.

“… all our citizens are required to stay at home, except of course in respect of essential movements related to seeking health services; to purchase and procurement of food and medicines and for the essential supplies and critical services,” said President Mnangagwa in an address on March 27, 2020.

The decision must have been difficult, as a sizeable number of citizens earn their keep in the informal sector.

“Some of the measures will be drastic and are sure to upset the daily routines of our lives. Should it become necessary, security forces will be deployed to assist in the enforcement of these measures,”

Covid-19, an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus had taken grip of the world and by mid-March had arrived in Zimbabwe.

The highly contagious disease was spreading at an alarming rate and there is no known cure to date. Its arrival was marked by the passing on of Zororo Makamba, a prominent media personality who became the country’s first publicised Covid-19 death.

Many at the time believed they were being punished for the excesses of the rich, as there was a feeling that the disease was for the rich.

Some even thought Zimbabwe due to its relatively hot weather was exempt from the throes of the disease.

Slowly, reality sank and cured prevailing misconceptions.

A new life . . . but not quite

Covid-19 changed the manner in which people live. The regulations which were instituted at the recommendation of the World Health Organisation saw people being required to wear face masks and have their hands sanitised.

Nightclubs were closed, churches too, funeral numbers were trimmed radically.

It was hard for those who had grown used to the old way of life to change their ways.

Even when bars were declared closed, there were those who slithered into bottle stores and were willing to be locked inside as they indulged.

On regular occasions, the police would raid night spots as people sought thrills in the face of danger.

Paranoia

When Covid-19 was first announced, there was paranoia which gripped the country. With information in short supply and social media playing its usual role as a funnel for fake news, people were sent into panic.

Immediately after the announcement of the initial 21-day lockdown, there were long queues at supermarkets as people hoarded basics predicting an apocalypse.

There was an influx of theories, Christian fundamentalists believed the world was being punished for its mounting indiscretions.

Zumbani (Lippia Javanica) leaves gained prominence, as it was and is still, believed that they aided people’s immunity against Covid-19. Some believed that regular steaming would keep the virus at bay.

While remedies were not discredited, they delayed some in seeking treatment and were presented to the doctor’s a bit late.

There was a general negative attitude towards those who would have caught Covid19. Reports were told of how nurses would run away from early cases of Covid-19.

It took a spike in cases for people to realise that Covid-19 though it can kill, does not always spell a death sentence.

Corruption

There are those who pride themselves in finding opportunity in chaos. They did not waste time, as the immediate need for consumables saw some

Health and Child Care Minister at the time Obadiah Moyo was fired for acting in a manner inconsistent with a Government official relating to the procurement of Covid-19.

Some cases emanating from Covid-19 ‘fraud’ are still active before courts.

Recovery

The world is trying to recover, but with anxiety. Locally, most activity has resumed but the feeling is not quite the same.

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