AS THE WORLD AWAITS COVID-19 VACCINES

AS THE WORLD AWAITS COVID-19 VACCINES

The first confirmed index case of the pandemic of Covid-19 in Nigeria was announced on 27 February 2020, when an Italian citizen in Lagos tested positive for the virus.

Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illnesses.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, its causes, and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based sanitiser and maintaining social distance.

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. So it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments.

As the world awaits the vaccines for the pandemic, economic, political, social, and educational activities have been put on hold. The changes brought by the Coronavirus in Nigeria are visible and have since forced governments at state and federal levels to request for loans and donations.

Some government and private institutions have started to lay-off or slash salaries of their workers to cushion the financial effect of the pandemic. Despite the economic downturn, prices of commodities, especially consumables have skyrocketed.

Governments and health sectors have completely moved their attention to the control of Covid-19. This affects other health-related issues like diabetes, HIV/AIDS, hypertension, malaria, typhoid other diseases that need extensive care. This, according to some experts, is responsible for the incessant deaths in Kano.

The pandemic is a calamity and a blessing. It is a calamity because it is destroying almost everything in the world, and a blessing because it teaches us lessons.
Bilyaminu Gambo Kong-kol, Bayero University, Kano

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