The Spokesperson for the National Covid-19 response who doubles as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Solomon Jamiru yesterday delivered a comprehensive message to Sierra Leoneans on the dangers of the coronavirus.
Speaking on this occasion the erudite lawyer stated that Coronavirus has come to steal, kill and destroy our nation and that we have a choice, either to succumb to the threat of the disease intending to imperil us, or to comply with the advice of our expert’s frequent washing of hands with soap, use of face masks, maintaining social distancing, self-isolating in the event of any of the pronounced symptoms of the disease, etc.
He cautioned that following the guidelines is the only safeguard, as the pathogen has no vaccine, adding that failing to protect your mouth, nose or eyes, the virus may make its way into your respiratory tracts and cause respiratory problems. “Now some studies are suggesting gastrointestinal complications as well” he mentioned.
He advised that with the washing of hands or using sanitizer, one can ward off the virus; but he was not aware of any situation where one can wash the virus off one’s respiratory system.
He furthered that hundreds of thousands all over the world have succumbed to the cold hand of death arising from Covid-19 infections (white, black, you name them), saying that we saw how the trend to ravage nations began in Wuhan, China, first as an epidemic, later a pandemic.
He cited that with the loss of over 3,000 people to Ebola (including 221 healthcare workers), we must put a stop to Covid-19, stating that our population is a little over 7M, with 75% below 35, and 46% of it below 15 and that our 2.6M kids in the free quality education system have been forced out of school because of Covid-19.
The scholarly lawyer further stated that businesses are being affected; homes are beginning to experience excruciating social and economic discomfort, prices affected and economic recovery efforts threatened.
He continued that there are many strands of the toll that Covid-19 is taking on us and that if this state of affairs should continue, the consequences will be cataclysmic.
He mentioned that with about 61 active positive cases identified, and the case of a 76-year old admitted at Connaught Hospital, who passed on before his test turned out to be positive, we should all be deeply concerned as he applauds and appreciates the sacrifices of our Doctors, Pharmacists, Epidemiologists, Nurses and Community Health Officers performing frontline roles (whose sacrifices and exposure to risks have warranted Government’s rolling out of a special Covid-19 incentive scheme).
He stated that our brothers and sisters, who have tested positive, are in our thoughts and prayers. Being isolated from their families and loved ones is quite a difficult moment for them. “By the grace of God, they shall all recover fully, join their loved ones and continue contributing positively to Mama Salone’s Development, he intercedes.
He pointed out that following one of the presidential guards testing positive, H.E Julius Maada Bio decided to self-quarantine for 14 days and that this moral fortitude at the top is quite commendable, and citizens can learn from this encouraging example.
He related that President Bio’s self-isolation follows the examples of President Mokgweeti Masisi of Botswana (who self-isolated after a trip to Namibia), Chancellor Merkel of Germany (who self-isolated after her medico tested positive), Justin Trudeau of Canada (after his wife tested positive), Boris Johnson of U.K. after experiencing flu-like symptoms, etc.
The nation continues to keep H.E Bio in our prayers, and I am pleased to note that our Commander-in-Chief is doing extremely fine (sound in mind and body), and fully in control, as he leads the fight with the support of our beloved people, International friends and partners. Sierra Leone owes our international partners a debt of gratitude, he emitted.
He admonished that as a nation, we shall pull through as we continue to trust in God and don’t dispense with common sense guidelines. In the fight, everyone matters…..the three arms of Government, political parties, civil society, INGOs and NGOs, religious leaders, traditional leaders, local councils and authorities, lawyers, doctors and other healthcare workers, entertainment industry, teachers and students, traders, persons from all works of life. All of us must be on record as the people who stood against one of the world’s most terrible enemies, he retorted.
H.E Bio has always commended Sierra Leoneans for our deep level of cooperation. That is who we are, a compliant nation, ever willing to stand in solidarity to defeat a common enemy. As we defeated Ebola (and today Sierra Leone’s example in fighting Ebola is applied abroad), so we shall subdue corona, he said.
He said It doesn’t matter where we are, or what our leanings might be. One thing is certain; that each time the anthem plays or there is a matter at stake and of common concern, our differences melt into temporary oblivion. Let us show the world one more time that we are a rainbow nation.
Sierra Leone, a nation united against Covid-19. Together with my colleagues, we will endeavour to provide timely and much-needed information on the national response and matters connected therewith. With Brigadier Kellie Conteh and his team of fine experts in the different pillars, and with the support of all Sierra Leoneans and partners, WE SHALL OVERCOME, he concluded.
