Avoiding complacency

ZAMBIANS should not become complacent and stop adhering to Covid-19 guidelines simply because the nation has only recorded four deaths since the disease broke out in March this year. The fact that the Covid-19 death toll was still low was not a guarantee for people to underrate the disease because if not well managed, the virus could kill millions of people in the shortest possible time. Indeed, with Covid-19 cases still surging, the disease could suddenly flare-up and wreak more havoc. It was therefore too early and folly for people to declare victory over the disease and relax on the health measures. In fact, even other countries which are now Covid-19 hotspots with high deaths, had recorded a low death rate in the initial stages of the disease but it suddenly flared-up to the present scenario.  This could happen here too if citizens took things for granted and dropped their guard.  In view of this, citizens should raise their adherence levels to the public health control measures instead of becoming complacent. Citizens can, in this case, do well to take Minister of Health ChitaluChilufya’s advice seriously not to underestimate the disease but stick to the health guidelines of social distancing, wearing of masks, sanitising – above all just maintaining hygiene. It would also be prudent for people to avoid unnecessary travels to Covid-19 hotspots such as Lusaka and Kafue, among others. Unfortunately, repeated warnings for people to avoid visiting the Covid-19 hotspots and gatherings of more than 50 people, this advice has not been fully appreciated in some circles. Some people are still exhibiting a casual approach to the disease while others are reluctant to religiously observe the guidelines on grounds that even if they got sick they would easily recover like others had done. While it is heartwarming that the number of those that had recovered had increased to 103 after two more patients were discharged on Thursday, this was no justification for anybody to deliberately down play the public health regulations. As Dr Chilufya stated yesterday, people should take full responsibility of their lives by adhering to the public health measures to avoid putting pressure on gallant frontline health workers who were risking their lives caring for patients in isolation. We can’t agree more with the minister.  The more Covid-19 cases are recorded, the more risks and pressure is subjected on frontline health workers who have sacrificed greatly not only by putting their heads on the chopping block but by staying away from their families for days or weeks. Some had even contracted the virus in the course of their duty and it is only fair that people take responsibility by avoiding to contract the disease as this will in turn ease pressure on the frontline workers. They too don’t deserve to contract the virus.  The onus is therefore on every citizen not to become complacent because of the low number of deaths the country had recorded thus far but to intensify the fight against Covid-19 by adhering to the public health regulations. The Sun