I appreciate the leadership of National Association of Osun State Students, University of Ilorin chapter for the invitation to speak on the novel Coronavirus ravaging the world and how we can all be a part of the process to contain its spread and ultimately its eradication.
The Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 is a new strain of virus that affects the respiratory system. Since it's outbreak in December 2019, it has spread to nearly every country in the world. Reported cases around the world has exceeded two million with death toll of about 137,000.
However, different countries around the world have put lockdown measures in place to curb the rapid spread of the virus, and some of these measures are helping to flatten the curve of this pandemic.
While Covid-19 accelerates very fast, it decelerates much more slowly. Flatten the Curve has become the defining graphic of the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea involves taking measures like washing of hands or staying home if youre sick, social distancing among others to slow down new cases of the disease.
So, does flatten the curve works? Yes, it does, history is an indicator.
The great influenza of 1918, considered the deadliest pandemic in history, offers a social distancing roadmap for tackling todays COVID-19. After Philadelphia detected its first case of the flu in 1918, leaders warned people about openly coughing and sneezing, but ten days later the city hosted a parade attended by 200,000 people. The number of influenza cases continued to mount, and two weeks after the first case, there were 20,000 more.
However, a city like St. Louis responded promptly and decisivelyand had a strikingly lower initial death rate of about 2000.
As the world grinds to a halt in response to the coronavirus, the most effective way to stop the pandemic is through collective efforts. COVID-19 is a social disease which requires social approaches to contain.
Then, the 127 returnees from Ivory Coast which shot the number of persons in isolation from two to 129, necessitating the imposition of a two-week sit-at-home order which came into effect midnight March 31, 2020 to contain the further spread of the virus.
Also, during the press briefing, Governor Oyetola attributed the achievement of flattening the curve of COVID-19 from 20 persons to what we presently have to the good people of the State saying their patience encouraged government to take extreme and decisive decisions during the perilous times. He equally thanked them for their support, patience and sacrifice.
This attests to the fact that containing the spread of Coronavirus is a collective responsibility. The Government and the people played their parts.
Some of the proactive measures of the government of Osun are:
*Ban on social gatherings
*Close Down of schools across the State
*Shutting of markets and sensitization of market women on the virus.
*Granting of 2-week leave to civil servants
*Establishment of three committees; Technical Response committee, Economic Impact Committee and Communication Committee.
*Partnership with the African Centre of Excellence in Geonomics of Infectious Diseases, Ede for easy investigation of suspected cases.
*Setting up of isolation centres in Osogbo, Ejigbo and Ile-Ife to isolate and treat suspected and reported cases.
*Procurement of 7 ventilators
*Procurement of motorised sprayers to disinfect markets and other public places
*Stay at home order
*Constitution of a Food and Relief committee
Even as the spread of the virus appears to be slowing in several hard-hit countries, including Italy, Spain and the U.S., the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday warned against lifting restrictions meant to curb the spread of the virus too early and must be done slowly. In line with that, the State government has ordered another 2 weeks stay-at-home to ensure that the State is totally rid of the deadly virus.
Though the government is aware of the negative effects of the lockdown on its economy, as a responsible government, the Oyetola-led administration will not sacrifice the lives and security of the people on the altar of economy.
Therefore, to win the war against the global pandemic of Coronavirus and flatten its curve, we must collectively resolve to win the war and play our parts.
Finally, let me equally add that, as we strive to prevent community transmission of this virus, we must collectively resolve as well to stop the transmission of Fake News about Covid-19. By so doing, you would have also helped in containing the community transmission of the virus.
Thank you.
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