The Sunday Mail
Life Issues with FGK
CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19) continues to cause suffering across the globe.
And Zimbabwe has not been spared as we now have at least eight confirmed cases and one tragic loss of life due to the pandemic. What has been encouraging though over the past days, or weeks, is the fact that the majority have taken heed of the need to be cautious. Most people now practise social distancing and have equally adopted safe hygiene practices — talk of regularly washing hands and frequently using hand sanitisers.
Covid-19 requires us to be vigilant in order to combat it.
And self-isolation remains one of the best strategies of winning the war against this monster. Government has since declared the 21-day lockdown period whereby all those who do not offer critical and essential services are required to stay home.
Companies running essential services are also required to operate with skeletal staff.
No mall is open, schools and colleges are shut, no gyms, no movie theatres and no bar visits or church congregations — it is a total lockdown.
However, there are mixed reactions.
Some are agonising on how they are going to survive, not the pandemic, but possible hunger and increased indebtedness due to the lockdown. Most locals are self-employed, thus a lockdown naturally cripples them financially.
A number of people now consider themselves to be between a rock and a hard place.
Government’s measures may seem unfavourable but they are necessary to save lives.
This plague is deadly and must be defeated at all cost.
Wuhan, the sprawling capital of China’s Hubei province, was temporarily shut down regardless of the impact the move had to the overall economy and ordinary lives of citizens. This must tell us something.
Covid-19 spreads aggressively as indicated by soaring new infection rates and deaths across the globe. A lot of lives will be lost if this epidemic is not contained.
According to extrapolations, each one of the eight confirmed cases has the potential to infect at least four people.
If our nation had continued with business as usual, you can do the math on how many could have been infected by now.
If you say you fear hunger more than this disease, then your perception on the sanctity of life is questionable.
We have learnt to be survivors and can always squeeze and make use of the little food and resources available.
We will have to budget and ration within our homes, but we cannot do that when the death demon (Covid-19) visits.
It is better to avoid it and stay safe than play around and open arms to the pandemic by blowing caution to the wind.
Life has to continue as normal but let us first defeat this virus before thinking of anything else. It may be painful to stay home but let us endure, this will soon be over.
Staying at home can be very boring when one is idle and in denial.
But to loosen up, start by appreciating that staying home is good for you. This will help you cope mentally.
There are lots of things that can be done at home. First, you may need to consider improving the way you take care of yourself.
Put your health first and revise your eating habits.
You may take this time to work out indoors or jog around your block and make sure you stay fit.
This must be the right moment to develop new habits and self-improve in a number of ways. Exercise your mind by reading widely.
You could also try to study a new language, learn a game and solve word or number puzzles. Others may even learn to play a musical instrument, paint, write poetry, watch movies or do anything that gets you going. Remember to have enough time to sleep and rest. Make sure you are not idle.
Do not forget to pray with your family and for your loved ones wherever they are.
But, do not visit those outside your home.
You can conference call them, Skype or WhatsApp video call those you miss.
God will protect us as we do our part.
Stay at home and take care.
Quote of the Week: Life has to continue as normal but let us first defeat this virus before thinking of anything else.
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