The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
FOR the best part of two years, Zimbabwe, just like the rest of the world, has been grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, which might be with us for a long time to come.
New cases, which are largely driven by emerging variants such as the Omicron, are still being recorded.
Strict observance of World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and Ministry of Health and Child Care protocols since the beginning of the pandemic has helped keep fatalities low.
But one inescapable fact is that we need to learn to live with the virus.
Social distancing, masking up, regular sanitising, among other protocols, have to be part of our everyday life — at least for now.
Epidemiologist Mrs Catherine Mawere believes there is need for vigilance to win the war against the invisible enemy.
“Remember, this virus is transmitted, so even if as a nation we fight it, there are chances it will be for a short time due to several reasons, which include travelling and the fact that we do not live in isolation,” she said.
“We are traumatised as a globe and nation; we need to embrace this truth and prepare ourselves mentally as we get into a new year.”
Siege
University of Johannesburg researcher and psychologist Dr John Ringson said there is need to come up with measures to mitigate the fallout from the coronavirus.
Notable increases in suicide, murder, armed robbery, baby dumping and depression, he said, could be traced to the socio-psychological impact of the pandemic.
“People have become subconsciously frustrated by this pandemic, life has become unbearable, so most of these weird behaviours are influenced by the unstable state of mind,” said Dr Ringson.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has since declared war against rising armed robbery cases, including drug and alcohol abuse.
Between January and December last year, 922 cases of armed robbery were reported, which represented a significant increase from 744 cases in 2020.
There was also a disturbing rise in baby dumping, with Sally Mugabe Central Hospital recording 14 cases in the January to October period last year, similar to total cases for the whole of 2020.
Gender-based violence (GBV) has similarly been shooting through the roof.
According to Musasa Project, the national GBV hotline recorded 5 306 calls between March 2020 — when the first lockdown began — to October the same year.
This marked a 60 percent increase from the pre-lockdown period.
Child abuse cases also soared, with 671 people jailed for the crime between January and June last year, according to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).
Dr Ringson said there has to be a way to deal with mental health challenges that have become increasingly pervasive.
“Covid-19 has brought changes in people’s lives and it is time to adjust psychologically to pave way for solutions,” he said.
“Naturally, the human system is not designed to witness or hear about such cases very often; it cannot absorb as much and as a result, the mind is affected negatively, although often times the results are not easily noticed.
“Recording such cases almost daily is an indication of the effects that Covid-19 has brought . . . people are affected more than assumed.”
The Government, he added, needs to engage all stakeholders and try to resolve these sociological, psychological and emotional challenges.
Periodic mental evaluation is also considered workable.
Psychologist Dr Nisbert Mangoro, who works with rehabilitation centres, says there is need for a holistic approach to deal with the impact of Covid-19 on livelihoods.
“People no longer respect the sanctity of life. Previously, cases of people killing someone over a few dollars or for beer were rare, but witnessing or hearing of such cases frequently, the human mind has been negatively affected, hence the need to act on it . . . The nation needs psychological therapy,” he said.
Ministry of Health and Child Care spokesperson Mr Donald Mujiri said the Government has come up with initiatives to deal with societal challenges such as depression and suicides.
Changing tact
Businessman Tafadzwa Dzeka said this year would likely depend on the evolving Covid-19 pandemic.
“In the past two years, we were unable to import some stuff in time, which meant losing some clients due to supply disruptions.
“Finding new clients was tough, we had to fight to maintain the few clients left. However, to survive we had to shift to social media and online marketing, which is something I believe most people need to consider in 2022.”
Renowned Mighty Warriors forward Rudo Neshamba, who also owns Amis Chic’s Boutique, urged the business community to appreciate online marketing and embrace technology to survive.
“We need to change the way we do business by improving our online marketing skills in this digital era and also learn to appreciate WhatsApp business . . . Covid-19 has in a way made it easier to do business online than before,” she said.
“However, it also means we need to be abreast with the ever-evolving technology because with online marketing, the best images and visuals attract more clients.”
Lilian Chikonde, a vendor in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD) who has been selling fruits and beverages at the Charge Office market for six years, said she had to adjust to survive over the past two years.
“When lockdown came, it was tough for me because I specialise in perishables. I lost a lot of stuff and had to survive with the little that I managed to salvage and sell from home,” she said.
“However, it taught me that I need to be creative . . . so I started packing my
stuff and marketing online and as 2022 begins, I am not sure what life will be like because new Covid-19 waves continue emerging.
“I no longer depend solely on selling from my stall. I do deliveries as well. I have fruit hampers and combos that I market and deliver to clients, which is something I believe vendors need to explore as we approach the new year.”
Mrs Revai Mutepfa, a Chitungwiza mother of two, feels that ahead of the new school term, parents need to play a huge role in ensuring their children do not lag behind in classes.
Her first daughter is in Grade Six at Shingai Primary School.
“Our children have been highly affected psychologically and physically. Further, they are no longer getting enough time to learn, so, as parents, we need to step up and assist the teachers,” she said.
“With Covid-19, backyard extra lessons are not the best option, we have to embrace online and home-schooling.
“However, some rural areas can be disadvantaged when it comes to access to the internet, but they can surely do home-schooling, especially lower grades because they forget easily.”
Tinashe Mucheki, a primary school teacher, said most parents do not assist their children ostensibly because they are paying school fees, hence teachers should single-handedly shoulder the burden.
Parents, he said, need to complement the efforts being made by teachers.
“We all have an important role to play in this situation because Covid-19 is not going anywhere soon, so if we put our efforts together, then we can save our children’s future.”
