Covid-19, is an acronym introduced to the world by the World Health Organisation, (WHO) on February 11 2020 to replace the disease previously named 2019 novel coronavirus .
The disease has forced people around the world to adjust to a new way of life that seemed unimaginable and impossible in the past.
Unfortunately it has come into the world, made appearance in every country of the world, causing panic in a way that suggests that it is worst than what terrorists terrific acts could cause.
For more than 6 months, Covid-19 has fuelled suspicion among brothers, among friends and foes,it has orphaned many children and decimated population of the vulnerable ,thus forcing people to wear mask.
Leading Health Experts say wearing mask is the best form of preventive measure that could lower the chances of transmission of Covid-19.
It is believed that the
disease emerged in Wuhan China on November 17,2019, but was not acknowedged by the government even when doctors on the frontline raised alarm over cases and deaths in hospitals
Covid-19 spreads around the world surface, like wildfire taking along with it anything that stood in its way.
The disease is said to be more easily transmitted and faster than any virus scientists have encountered.
Although the immediate source of the disease origin is unknown, scientists are of the view that it originated from bats as it shares genetic relationship with the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak in 2003.
The disease which initially attracted a groundswell of debate of whether it had features of a pandemic or not, has without doubt or contention done more damage to the world than experts in Medicine ever forecasted.
For the first time at least for so long, science that is so dignified and awed is in search of breathers .Scientists are rattled and boxed to a very tight corner where their efforts day and night towards finding lasting solution to prevention and cure seemed far from yielding results.
ln China where the virus birthed, there is no public knowledge of a vaccine to cage the virus.
In USA, the situation is alarming as the mighty becomes a laughing stock because the country took the seriousness of Covid-19 for granted.
Even as nation’s have commenced opening their doors for visitors, countries in Europe have shut their doors at the US for failing to act on time.
And while we watch the developed countries linger in frustration to clip the wings of a deadly Covid-19, Africa feels horribly terrified by what it would face should the disease overwhelm the continent.
A rich continent plagued with multitudinous problems of hunger, unemployment and insurgency among others under a covid-19 pandemic leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
The number of cases rather than slowing down are soaring.
As at July 5, globally Covid-19 cases have risen to 11.3m, 523 thousand deaths and 6.11m discharged.
Out of the global cases, Africa accounts for 432,421cases, 10,646deaths and 207,148 recoveries.
As at now, there is no clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine to be used against Covid-19. Few drugs may have been evaluated against Covid-19 in clinical trials resulting in recovery but are very expensive and not within the reach of the common man.
Antiviral drug remdesivir is very expensive.and not widely available .
Gilead Sciences, the company that makes the covid-19 drug had in a letter to the US government announced a price tag of $ 390 per vial for US government.
A typical 5 day treatment course the company said would include six vials, which equals to $2,340 per patient.
UK”s antiviral drug Dexamethasone experts say is a major breakthrough in the fight against covid-19 as it is believed to cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators and cuts by fifth those on oxygen.
The drug raises hope for patients as it is cheap and widely available however it is part of the world’s biggest treatment undergoing trial to see if it works for coronavirus.
The much needed excitement hasn’t ben seen yet ,the excitement is expected when there is a vaccine
With vaccine, children can go to school without fear, with vaccine, economies will recover but a situation without vaccine calls for caution and self protection from the disease
After allI,it is said that prevention is better than cure.
The drugs remdesivir and dexamethasone are curative not preventive and it is important for people to take the issue of protecting themselves and others from the deadly virus seriously since no one wants to fall sick of Covid-19 and go to the hospital given the fact that survival is by luck especially for people with underlying health challenges.
The best to do in this circumstances is to heed the advice of health experts by wearing a mask masquerading like others around the world.
Most countries have made mask wearing compulsory for all.
In Nigeria, the government has gazetted wearing of masks,as offenders would pay a fine of N20 000 or 6 months imprisonment.
That is the unexpected situation we are in.
Masquerades are seasonal and scary, they dance and hurt people if mischief makers are behind the mask
But this Masquerade is different, it is scared of the person next to it and protects itself from danger of a spiking Covid-19.
That is the New Normal.
