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.''