MARCH TO MARCH IMPACT OF COVID-19.
It's so amazing how covid -19 has snatched spaces and places that we thought were fully under human control. New rules have been put into place so that the spread of the disease is narrowed even to zero. But this hasn't come so easily as it has turned to denying us our coveted freedoms and how we handle our daily lives.
To start with, is the time we need to spend to accomplish our days task since the introduction of curfew hours between 7 pm - 5a.m. No one would fathom that the streets would be so empty and quiet by 7. Only persons offering essential services;-
- Health care, public health, and human services.
- Law enforcement, public safety, and first responders.
- Food and agriculture.
- Energy.
- Water and wastewater.
- Transportation and logistics.
- Public works.
But its also a positive gesture to many especially women and children as it has opened a chance of socialising with their dad's. House heads have been an elusive figure to most homes at this time of the day as many hang on to social places to kill time. Its time to get to know how moms deal with the family and whether this is an easy task.
On the other hand businesses have their rough share of the patch as bars,restaurants, cinema halls,public transport and other businesses that depend on night hours as their pick of sale have to remain closed.
This has a negative impact on families who depends on such jobs for their income. The labour market is highly stressed as the situation is affecting the casual labourers sector. With major markets of farm produce such as schools closing, regulated number of persons on the markets or point of sale and urban rural migration of a considerable number of families, few farmers are ready to chip in their money in production and as such leading to loss of jobs in the agricultural sector.
But something unusual is happening; young school children are vending different food products such as vegetables, green maize(corn),different kinds of fruits in the center and homes to make the ends meet. Probably as a result of their parents being rendered jobless and as many people would sympathise and buy from them. This is not simple as it predisposes them to the deadly virus and they have to adhere to the strict protocols of the ministry of health and hide from authorities to avoid arrest.
Notwithstanding, people have had their good and bad share of adopting to a new normal. Many are following the guidelines stipulated by the ministry of health. While same have paid the the price of ignorance and negligence. Police officers aren't hesitant to arrest noncompliance of covid-19 rules;not wearing a mask in public place, forbidden social gatherings and being out during curfew hours will cost you time and money.
Easing restrictions
With the partial reopening of various sectors to avoid economy clash our lives have been ushered to a new normal. Partial school reopening to some levels of education Will test the rate of infection in schools. The good thing is that it hasn't shown any danger. Travel ease is a concern especially with the opening of Nairobi and other areas that have been under lockdown as citizens fear movement of people may help the spread.
And now December holidays and all the fun of meet-ups. Anxiety is less than what was at the beginning of the year but restrictions are still holding partying. Well, we all know that January things are set go as usual with regard to the nation opening for economic growth.
2020 ends as a tough year that has disrupted many lives.
How Lucky that I have seen 2021! Its so amazing. Life seems to be so much normal than one would anticipate. Curfew starts at 10pm to 4am,so there is ample time for one to accomplish subtle number of deals.
Wearing of masks is a matter of self safeguard to the disease. They are very cheap compared to what was mid last year but I can see too that the local populace has a bit lowered the guard. May be because of late i haven't heard or seen a case locally related to covid. Doesn't mean that I have to see or hear so as to wear my guard,but that this disease requires me to enter a new normal; alert,keen and cautious on everything I do.
I know the world over many have lost their lives;families wiped out,close and dear ones are no more...it's a sad story to tell. I sympathise with each an everyone who has been touched.
Don't let yourself become a statistic, wear a mask, wash your hand regularly and avoid unnecessary travel and crowded areas. This simple measures will help protect you and loved ones from contracting covid- 19.
Keep safe, it's not for granted.
