Because of the contagious effect of the novel Coronavirus, it is advisable that the masses adhere strictly to the stipulated WHO guidelines and not flutter with these guidelines at all.
The widespread of COVID-19 which was first seen in Wuhan in the country of China has taken upon the whole world altering activities worldwide and sending people clustering indoors.
Amidst the three months national lockdown in the country, citizens were allowed to continue their social activities by reopening cinemas, churches, schools, markets, mosques and restaurants.
The Governors of different states had taken the gradual step in effecting the reopening of school starting off with the Junior secondary class 3 and the Senior secondary class 3 as regards the sensitive nature of children towards diseases and infections.
The country was relieved fully by the second week of September, 2020 following the instructions mapped by the presidential task force on COVID-19.
Currently in the country, activities have returned to normal with most of the people going about their daily activities sometimes forgetting about this virus all together. The rate at which social activities have normalized was received as the end of the virus by many country people.
This article is a soft reminder that this virus is real and still very much effective. Lockdown release in no way did not chase out the virus nor did it cancel the existing of the contagious virus so, it’s still relevant that every citizen follows the precaution guidelines listed by WHO and UNICEF.
A lot of danger would follow immediately there’s a halt to COVID-19 test in Nigeria. These dangers would include the nonchalant attitudes of non COVID-19 patient while exposing everyone both old, young, rich and poor as some of the patients of COVID-19 worldwide had shown that Coronavirus is a no respecter of race, gender or what not.
How Relevant Is Testing?
It is right that we understand why testing for COVID-19 is relevant and effective. This would lead us on to the positive side of the game and help buckle our sleeve towards doing the right thing.
With the donations of testing kits to the country by the billionaire foreigner, Jack Ma, Nigerians are partially supported/equipped in carrying out COVID-19 testing.
Testing for COVID-19 is the first step towards curbing the virus. For a virus that doesn’t manifest until two weeks time or more, there’s every need to testing. Testing would causally show the positive result of a non suspecting patient. Some people have argued that random testing would induce untold pressure to people as they don’t know what to expect at any moment. But then this testing could be mostly reinforced to patients who had boycotted the safety guidelines at one point in time.
This testing is a full assurance that the individual is free and healthy and as well posses no future threat to family, friends and community at large.
Also, COVID-19 testing is efficient because it calls for quick response. A patient tested positive of COVID-19 during the testing process would be attended to immediately no matter the level. Quick medical attention would be administers to such patients rather than self isolating for two weeks, few hours of testing would do the beautiful job of proving whether the patient is positive or negative.
It is necessary to note that these testing does in no way promote fear. It simply decreases uncertainty and risks while exposing positive patients of this virus and evokes immediate solution thereby curtailing the spread of this virus too.
There are many possible dangers that could occur if there should be stop in COVID-19 testing in Nigeria.
First and foremost the deliberate end to COVID-19 testing in Nigeria would raise the flags of COVID-19 end high. Majority of country people would feel reluctant towards the preventive measures of COVID-19 disease. They would perceive the “stoppage” as a signal towards the end of the virus which in actually sense is not!
This negative attitude towards the novel infection would warrant a hit back that would be more severe than before and the country would be filled plenty causalities.
Inspite of the lockdown release, it is important every citizen is sensitized on the harmful effects of neglecting due COVID-19 precautions which includes testing.
In difficult situations citizens should be enforced to abide by the stipulated WHO guidelines and huge fine should be mandated to culprit who fail to adhere strictly.
Schools should also endeavour to not to relent any further as the lives of school children and teachers are on the line should there be another major outbreak of the contagious virus.
