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.