Debunking Covid-19 myths

THERE is need to debunk myths doing rounds among members of the public pertaining to the treatment and prevention of covid-19. It’s disturbing that up to now some people still believe that they can’t contract the virus and as a result, have continued going about their usual way of life. In high density areas, for example, people still have a casual approach towards the disease because they believe it only affects the wealthy. For them it is business as usual.  In Matero, for example, youths can still be seen playing soccer in the morning while children have continued mingling too, playing soccer and other games in the middle of roads.  And now another worrisome myth that needs to be quickly debunked has taken root in Lusaka. It is not clear how the myth originated but some members of the public have been misguided into believing they can’t contract Covid-19 if they simply took to jogging. Well, jogging and exercising are no doubt good for the well-being of human beings. And in fact, it’s good that people have realised the importance of jogging. However there is no evidence that jogging in itself can prevent people from contracting the virus.  It’s undeniably wonderful that Zambians have begun to appreciate the benefits of exercising, and off late , scores of people can be seen morning and evening jogging on Lusaka roads and around Heroes stadium in Matero. This is good but unfortunately, people should be made to understand that while jogging and exercising maybe be good to keep fit and to keep away opportunistic infections, the same might not be said of covid19.  The best way to avoid contracting covid19 is to avoid coming in contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus. This is only possible if people strictly adhere to the health control measures and Presidential directives in place. Sadly people are still abrogating these measures with impunity. Even more disappointing is the fact that those going jogging do so without observing social distancing and without wearing masks. That’s not all, children as young as 10 years are among those spotted jogging without masks as early as 05.45hrs and most of them are not in the company of their parents as they just join the bandwagon of joggers. This is not only unsafe for children as they could easily contract the virus but they risked being knocked down by passing cars.  Not only that jogging without observing social distancing increases the chances of them spreading the virus. In light of this we totally agree with Lusaka province minister Bowman Lusambo’s decision to disperse the joggers who found the other day. To his disappointment, mostly young boys and girls busy jogging without their parents to guide them. We also agree with the minister’s concerns that the joggers had failed to observe social distancing as they jogged thereby increasing the chances of transmitting the virus through human to human contact. The joggers should also not allow young boys and girls to be part and parcel of the workout and avoid jogging along busy raids if they want to continue with their morning and evening sessions. Over and above they should adhere to the health control measures. We applaud Mr Lusambo for quickly intervening in the matter to prevent further spread of the disease and a potential traffic catastrophe. It would also prudent for those involved in Covid-19 sensitisation campaigns to take this new development into consideration and educate the joggers on the need to adhere to the health measures as opposed to depending unproven myths. There is no doubt that more awareness needs to be created around Covid-19 treatment and prevention because ignorance is clearly a big setback in the fight against the disease which has now claimed one more life bringing the death toll to four. Zambians should stay safe by sticking to the health control measures, period and avoid basing their hopes on myths and by so doing end up risking their lives. The Sun