As we approach the end of an eventful year, we as Marshallans will be engaged in a number of social events including installations, banquets, Christmas parties among others.
Regrettably, global infection rates of COVID-19 are going up dramatically with a large number of countries experiencing a massive fourth wave of infections.
Taking into account the fact that we live in a global village, it is highly unlikely that out of all the countries in the world, our infection rates will not be on the increase, considering the general disregard of COVID-19 prevention protocols among the general populace.
As of the first week of November 2021, the World Health Organisation reports indicated that in South Africa, daily infections stood at about 300. However, a month on, infection rates have gone up alarmingly to 19,017 new infections on 9th December 2021.
The appearance of the new omicron variant of the virus appears to be fuelling this increase.
Omicron is said to be two times more transmissible than the deadly delta variant and its presence in Ghana has already been confirmed, mainly in travellers arriving at the airport.
This tells us that Covid-19 is here to stay and we must learn to live with it.
Reports indicate that the overwhelming majority of Covid-19 cases on admission at the intensive care wards worldwide and deaths, occur in people who are not vaccinated.
It points to the fact that vaccination provides protection from severe disease. Although vaccination may not protect you a hundred percent from contracting Covid-19, it will most certainly reduce your risk of severe disease with its attendant complications and death in the event that you do get infected.
Bearing in mind that the complications of COVID-19 can cause permanent damage to various organs and systems of your body such as causing among others;
Lung fibrosis leading to permanent lung damage,
Chronic kidney failure requiring lifelong dialysis,
Damage to the heart and liver. Additionally,
Covid-19 is also known to negatively impact the brain by causing strokes in addition to other various mental illnesses.
How do we protect ourselves and our families from COVID-19?
Imagine if we were given an unlimited budget to provide the best possible security for a home.
We will probably start with
1. Security doors at the entrances,
2. A tall perimeter wall and gate,
3. Electric fencing with barbed wire on top of the wall,
4. Security cameras,
5. A security man and possibly
6. Guard dogs
That is six layers of security for our families and posessions against robbery.
So then, isn’t it strange that we complain incessantly about measures to keep us safe from a disease which has killed more people than armed robbery?
We must most importantly, get vaccinated as well as obey all the safety protocols known to us.
Even after vaccination, we must;
1· Maintain a safe distance from others (at least 1 metre), even if they don’t appear to be sick.
2· Wear a face mask in public, especially indoors.
3· Always choose open, well-ventilated spaces over closed ones, this is especially important when meals or drinks will be served.
4. Open the windows if you are indoors, since good ventilation has been proven to be of paramount importance in preventing the spread of Covid-19.
5· Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
None of these measures on their own will protect you from Covid 19 completely but together they provide effective protection.
Just as we don’t expect seat belts alone to protect us when driving but rather rely on a combination of obeying road safety regulations, ensuring that we have good headlights, brakes and tires as well as good vehicle maintenance, so must we rely on a combination of measures including vaccination in addition to the above listed Covid-19 protocols to protect us from the menace of this disease.
If each of these measures decreases your risk of contracting Covid-19 by even by a very conservative twenty percent each, utilising all of them together will provide an effective level of protection.
Let us avail ourselves of every opportunity to be vaccinated and obey all the safety protocols in order to protect ourselves and our families from this dreadful disease.
May God bless and protect us all.
By-
W/Bro. Dr. Henry Awuviri, SPh.