FAST-TRACKING ON THE COVID-19 PHASE 1

INTERVENTIONS MUCH NEEDED IN THE PANDEMIC

MEDICAL APPARATUS.

“…The villainy you teach me, I will execute- and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.” Merchant of Venice: act 3, scene 1. A monologue well demonstrated by the character Shylock to Antonio. In this monologue, Shylock expresses displeasure in the mannerism of Antonio’s treatment towards him, and he intends to revisit the treatment or far worse be more villainous. I tend to have a soliloquy on my imaginary stage; what if the earth is revenging on all the bad decisions we’ve been doing to it? Has the coin flipped for the human race to taste its own medicine? Hands down to mother earth, if Coronavirus is a way for the earth to act in self-defence.  COVID-19 in its phase one has seen developing countries fight tooth and nail to break even, yet the determination has yet to yield results. The numbers are yet to take a stall by the end of April, with exponential growth by the day. 

WHO, Ministry of Health and the governments are encouraging behavioural change in order to reduce the risk of new infections. Phase 1 is a very tedious and energy drenching period where the measures to curb spread through cessation of movements and other means are taking a toll on patience. Several institutions have been rendered sterile, matters business; tragically the impact on our economy is inevitable. Policies of work, movement and gathering among others have been altered significantly. 

The long hours at home are also impacting the mental wellness of individuals. Certainly, we all anticipate for normalcy, but we need to brace ourselves for a longer period of uncertainty. Countries like China; currently in phase 2 of the pandemic have somehow a semi-normal lifestyle. For developing countries to reach this phase, then we need to emulate the stringent measure taken. Yes, that bitter pill require swallowing.

CORONAVIRUS 

Since man must survive, innovations to solving world problems will be the best thing since sliced bread. Employers and their employees have now capitalise on digital platforms to have meetings and deliberate on issues at the comfort of their couches. Supermarkets and eateries have been able to capitalise on delivery applications to attend to customer’s need. Maybe this might be the best way going forward but it’s still early to predict. More apparent, there’s need to increase testing capacity so as to identify the hot spots and curb the disease. 

Governments can increase testing capacity by partnering with the private sector; hence spike innovations in testing gadget like the pregnancy kit innovation. Senegal is leading the race, having developed a one dollar COVID-19 testing kit. Application developers can provide their expertise to expedite the process of contact tracing, so as to straighten the curve. Well, these are suggestions and my words are not law, just playing my role like the character Shylock so as to spark debate.


Drastic times call for drastic measures, hence adhering to the call for action in behavioural change is adamant and prudent. Well, is a total lockdown necessary to curb COVID-19? The answer, I live it to you. Mental wellness is a loose cannon that needs intervention a.s.a.p. Ensuring you have someone to check on you from time to time and engaging in meaningful endeavour can reduce the risk of mental deterioration. 

PATHWAY 

The mind is the most powerful organ, feed it with positivity and alas your perspective changes. Assessment, cultural concepts of distress and interventions should be sort after. Mental health is not a destination, but an ongoing process. It’s about how you drive, not where you are going. Most of all let’s take care of mother earth before it turns its fangs on us. Time is the only thing that will allow you to find yourself again. We ought to think before acting, lest the earth cast a villainous spell on us.

REFLECTIONS TO SUSTENANCE AND SURVIVAL

REALITY CHECK DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Nairobi by 7pm, curfew times.

''I can not stay at home, I will die from hunger, stress..." words lingering in the minds of people in informal settlements. The urge to go out and fend for sustenance is eating up the efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in the slums. This lady that I know to be very bubbly, friendly, and equally talented, tells me she's lost work in the film industry months before the Coronavirus pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, she could go out and get a gig for a day or two but now all doors entertainment are closed. As an elder sister, she has to fend for her siblings hence the #stayathome campaign can hardly settle-in her vocabulary. 



WHO measures can only be hand-picked by people in less fortunate situations, washing hands and wearing masks can be practiced but social distancing is jargon hardly understood. Well as rules of the jungle dictate, 'survival for the fittest' she's forced to look for menial jobs to get food on the table.

Dosage

Small businesses and other businesses alike are taking measures to save them income hence affecting the well-being of individuals. The loss of jobs has dropped down to those in unskilled labor too, now more stomachs are languishing in pain. The rich man's decision to lay off most of their home workers, as they take precautionary measures has had a trickle-down effect that is devastating in the slums. Mental wellness in most of the informal settlements is degrading and in a dire need to be addressed. While the political class might be silent when needed most, psychosocial professionals could step-up and lead from the front. With the 'Harambee' spirit in our DNA, let's get creative as we have always been helping the less fortunate. Safaricom has this 'Bonga point' initiative that we can make a difference. This article 'look at us' is an eye-opener.

The fight against this deadly virus scaling-up with the Ministry of Health's decision to roll-out a mass testing campaign in risk areas. Rural areas are still struggling with information on the virus, resulting in taking concoctions and prescribing misinformed diets. Information is power while health is wealth, both treating those at risk informing the masses is crucial. The cost of treating one COVID-19 patient staggering at almost one million Kenyan shillings, according to the ministry of health. Luckily, the government is footing the bill on these expenses, it's going to be hard but 'Aluta-continua.'

Social connectedness prompted me to call my cousins who quit the 'Arab money' to become a farmer back at home in the rural area. His decision at first was not welcomed by those around, it was surprising for someone to leave office work and go to the farm. In this case, guess who's laughing now. He tells me that business is booming on the farm and the demand is bigger than he can supply. At this moment, farming sounds like beautiful music to my ears. Despite the government cessation of movement in his county Kwale, he has a reason to smile during these hard-time tales. For sure, opportunities are present for some in hard times.



Reflecting on my previous article torn between sustenance and survival is one dilemma that needs intervention. We need to act quickly, so as not to risk Africa becoming an epicenter for the Coronavirus. Bold steps need to be taken to ensure that our people do not die from COVID-19 and worse, also the pangs of hunger. We can not let our previous actions define us, but we can control what we do next. 

COVID-19 AND MANAGING ANXIETY

ANXIETY MANAGEMENT AMIDST CHAOS

Perspective view

"Stay at home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority." Are the most frequent words in media outlets on the COVID-19 pandemic news coverage, encouraged by the World Health Organization. As much as information is power, having a powerful mental state can not be taken for granted during such hard-nosed times. Consumption of overwhelming negative news on the Coronavirus pandemic endangers the stability of proper mental health. Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity as defined by WHO. 

Acknowledgment of the role of mental health has proved to contribute a great deal, in achieving global development goals with the recent incorporation of mental health into the sustainable development goal. Feeding the mind with unlimited negative information can take a toll on the psychological state of humans who are nonetheless vulnerable. We are rather languishing in the uncertainty of the future with fear of the unseen, yet mother nature promises better days amidst this chaos. Just like separating the wheat from the chuff, man must choose his level of consumption of information so as to have a sound mind. Depression, anxiety, stress to name just a few psychological impacts, which put children, elderly and women in the vulnerable list. Incredibly, the mind could be like a huge fertile farm, the choice of planting roses or vegetables is sitting squarely on your decision table.

A healthier mind is a wealthier life. Embracing positivity only yields positive results, therefore we need to take timely measures for our mental health and the importance of self-care. First, limiting consumption of every news or updates coming your way, just have few reliable sources. 

Time-piece

This will give you a sense of direction, reduce anxiety brought in by fake news and give you control. Secondly, surround yourself with a better company that gives you support and positive vibes. The internet has made the world a global village, take advantage of it. Use social media for connectedness which is important for our mental well-being. Thirdly, take advantage of the free time by engaging in physical exercise to elevate your esteem. Avoid habits like too much drinking, drugs and smoking as these ventures do more harm than good. It is okay to feel vulnerable amidst these chaotic moments, we can not always control what happens to us but certainly, we can control how we react.

Josh Billings once said, ''Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.'' The symphony of life is creating an artistic balance in everything you do. Caregivers, patients and the medics on the frontline of this Coronavirus pandemic are exposed to great psychological degradation. We can overcome stress and anxiety posed to us by addressing the short-term and eventually the long-term psychosocial support. Mental health is of great importance to the socio-economic wellness of individuals and nations in times of crisis. Mental health is precious hence importance of self-care.

Artistic piece

Feed your soul with positivity and change your perspective, approach life with rationality and balance, the world around you eventually might change. ''Today be thankful and think how rich you are. Your family is priceless, your time is gold and your health is wealth.'' Zig Ziglar.

TORN BETWEEN SURVIVAL AND SUSTENANCE

THE PLIGHT OF LOW-INCOME EARNERS

A choice between feeding on the labor of the hands and washing hands to stay safe is putting a great number of low-income earners in a dilemma. According to the world bank, ''In Kenya, an estimated 53% of the urban population and 49% of rural households have access to water.'' The thought of buying a face mask, hand sanitisers, water just for hand-wash or gloves is mind-boggling for some, despite the need to adhere to measures by health authorities. 

Small business

Just like the irony of extreme poverty in Africa falling yet in contrast population growth still presents more poor people. In a rather unfortunate state, low-income earners find themselves on crossroads during the prevailing Coronavirus pandemic. Timely COVID-19 news updates are pivotal in creating awareness and sensitizing the masses from the virus in efforts to curb the pandemic. People in the informal settlements live from hand to mouth where every dollar counts for survival. 

In combating the spread of COVID-19, a lockdown decision seems essential but taking care of the rights of citizens is fundamental. The world bank projections in 2019 stated, ''Gross domestic product growth (GDP) is expected to rise to 5.9% in 2020 and 6.0% in 2020 underpinned by private consumption, a pick-up in industrial activity and still strong performance in the services sector.''  As much as numbers do not lie, low-income earners are left with more questions than answers. Who will fend for their families that live from hand to mouth? Do we even have a good health care system to attend to the less fortunate? Are our leaders even thinking about the voter's welfare? Health equity is overly flawed, yet human resource is a key factor of production in achieving our visions.

When you are dealing with fire and the fire's getting worse, you can only think about one thing. Putting it out. In essence, as we concentrate on the epidemic, staying woke ought to be in our DNA. Imagine the mental health state of a parent in lockdown with no coin at hand, yet has mouths to feed staring agape. Philanthropic persons are willing to distribute some essentials, but is this a sustainable measure in the long-term? 

Open-air Market

Poverty on the verso in Africa is at bay, catching a glimpse ready to show its fangs like a snake. Tough economic times looming for SMEs in developing countries. Low-income earners are staring at the gun barrel, forced to surrender to the Coronavirus or starvation. When you are less fortunate, the end always justifies the means. The struggle among people in the informal sector is to see yet another day even if the day is not ready to see them.

As we are looking for a Coronavirus treatment, we need to stay abreast with the plight of the less fortunate. We clearly do not need earthquakes to shake up our brains and think much clearer. 

Landscape view

You are safer when your neighbors are better mentally, physically and financially. “In this world, everything is governed by balance. There's what you stand to gain and what you stand to lose. And when you think you've got nothing to lose, you become overconfident.''