Dear Hon. Dr O. Moyo
THE coronavirus is here, and our reality is that we cannot go on as if it is business as usual.
The fatalities in the developed world are a cause for concern and many are wondering if we, in the so-called third world, are going to come out of this alive.
I believe Zimbabwe is a resilient nation. I also believe in our governance systems and efforts by Zimbabwe’s skilled labourers.
I write to you offering these few suggestions from a layman’s perspective, which I believe could go a long way towards controlling the spread and impact of Covid-19 in our motherland.
- Unity: Our strength against Covid-19 is in our unity as a people. We can politicise the virus and politique with the statistics after ensuring the safety of Zimbabweans. I urge you to sit down with our brothers and sisters from the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC.
They seem to have good public health minds and skills in the likes of Dr Ruth Labode who has served as PMD. We need all strategies; we need all hands on deck and this is the good time to lay politics aside and work together as Zimbabweans to ensure the safety of Zimbabweans.
Bring them on board; hear them out and work with them. After all, they do command the majority of urban votes. Urbanites are likely to pay attention to them and will likely trust your voice once you speak as one alongside these health brains in the MDC.
- Local solutions: It is commendable that we are spreading the World Health Organisation messages on how to prevent coronavirus and slow the spread of the pandemic.
The messaging, however, needs to be specific and relevant to our situation as a nation.
We cannot anchor our message on washing hands for 20 seconds uner running water because our taps are dry.
The water in our homes is barely enough for the basics and the privileged few have boreholes and wells.
The majority of our people rely on tap water, which comes and goes unannounced.
I, therefore, urge you to consult local immunology experts like Dr EN Sibanda or virologists at the University of Zimbabwe medical school; hear them out.
Find homegrown solutions that are relevant to our circumstances.
- Talk to us: I believe you are doing your best to keep us informed. A lot, however, is still amiss.
How many have been screened or tested so far; how many are under observation; how many have been advised to self-quarantine or isolate and what modalities are in place to ensure that they adhere to the recommendations?
Those under self-quarantine; how can they protect their families and loved ones that they share living space with?
Talk to us, no matter how bad the situation. Please, talk to us; tell us and help us make informed decisions.
Talk to us; what medication do we need to stockup, that is, from a primary healthcare perspective. What do we need to have in our houses?
When we see signs and symptoms and before rushing to the doctor, what can we do to self-test or self-medicate so that we do not overwhelm our healthcare facilities and their limited resources.
For those who are far from clinics and hospitals, what can they do within their areas?
Please, talk to us. We need to know more, we cannot rely on Twitter and WhatsApp platforms.
Currently, there is too much fake news and alarmists.
Can your voice rise above the voices of fake news and alarmists. It is business as usual in most places and we might need more information as a wake up call.
- Joint Operations Command: Social distancing must be made a national security operation. We need the joint Operations Command at all levels to enforce social distancing. The same Joint Operations Command must now have medical personnel from DMOs, PMDs, among others, at all relevant levels.
The medical personnel should be able to advise and give relevant direction to our security personnel. The issue of Covid-19 is not a business-as-usual issue and must be treated as such.
- National Emergency: Coronavirus must be declared a national emergency right now. This declaration will help enforce social distancing and ensure that covid-19 is slowed down in Zimbabwe.
Declaring Covid-19 a national emergency will unlock resources and authority for your ministry and government to keep us safe.
We really need stern measures to keep this virus under control for the sake of our people.
Like President Emmerson Mnangagwa said, we either unite to fight the virus or it will force us to unite in grief as we bury our loved ones.
The choice is ours.
Fidelis Fengu
Media and Communications Consultant
fidelisfengu@gmail.com