Lockdown as a “cure”

The Covid-19 pandemic has established a global foothold, presenting probably one of the grimmest times for humankind.

Many countries have adopted unprecedented lockdown measures to slow down the rapid spread of Covid-19. Currently, there is neither cure nor vaccine to Covid-19.

But there are more than 200 clinical trials of Covid-19 treatments or vaccines, currently underway.

The World Health Organisation states that over 60 vaccine candidates are under observation, worldwide, with several under early clinical trials in human volunteers.

Vaccines prepare the body to fight infection without exposing it to disease symptoms. When foreign bodies enter the body, immune cells, called lymphocytes, react by producing antibodies.

Antibodies fight the invader (an antigen), and protect against further infection.

Vaccines are made of dead or weakened antigens, according to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Centre.

Antony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said, “A Covid-19 vaccine could take 12 to 18 months to develop, test and approve for public use.”

Whilst the world waits for the vaccine, and ultimately the cure, the best remedy for all and sundry is to religiously follow the basic hygiene rules as stipulated by WHO, which, among other simple behaviours, is to wash hands for at least 20 seconds with an alcohol-based sanitiser; avoiding touching the face, nose and mouth, wearing a mask when in public and maintain a distance of at least one metre when in public.

So far, support therapy has helped in the medical management of Covid-19 patients. Anti-viral drugs, antibiotics and antipyretics have also helped to mitigate the situation.

As of April 27, there were 894 670 recoveries, 196 295 deaths, and 2 858 635 confirmed cases worldwide (WHO).

As researchers rush to find the cure, people should know that Covid-19 drugs will not stop the disease outbreak. Only a vaccine will remedy the situation.

The Journal of Travel Medicine advises: “A more stringent confinement of people in high-risk areas seems to have a potential to slow down the infection.”

On April 19, President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended Zimbabwe’s 21-day lockdown by two weeks, as the country embarked on mass testing and screening of suspected cases.

To date, Zimbabwe has recorded 31 cases, four deaths, and two recoveries.

South Africa extended her initial lockdown by a three weeks. Spanish authorities declared a fortnight lockdown on March 14, which was further extended to April 11, and then April 25.

France ruled out “an end to confinement that would happen in one move everywhere and for everyone”.

However, it must be observed that lockdowns are not an end, but, a “non-pharmaceutical means” in slowing down the spread of the pandemic.

Classical interventions in containing outbreaks have become contingency measures for contemporary outbreaks.

Historically, disease outbreaks have wiped out entire populations. But, drastic quarantine measures have at all times helped contain the disease spread.

The Black Death (1347), instrumental in the invention of quarantine, claimed 200 million Europeans in just four years.

Thomas Mockaitis, a professor of History at DePaul University said, “People had no scientific appreciation of the disease, as for how to stop it, but they knew it had something to do with proximity.”

Venetians isolated newly arrived sailors until they could prove that they were not infected. They later increased forced isolation to 40 days, or a quarantino, the origin of the word quarantine.

Quarantine practice became instrumental in the Western world.

The great plague (1665) was one of the worst outbreaks, claiming 100 000 Londoners in just seven months.

All public entertainment was banned and victims were forcibly shut into their homes to contain the spread of the disease.

Red crosses were painted on their doors along with a plea: “Lord have mercy upon us.”

Traditional drastic measures have helped contain the transmission of the disease. Covid-19 is no exception, albeit cognisant of the sanctity of human life.

Although forced quarantine infringes upon human socio-economic liberties, it is necessary in the wake of pandemics.

Quarantine ensures mass testing and screening of Covid-19 cases. The China case study has significantly informed on current contingency measures being initiated worldwide.

Lockdowns, which are cruder forms of social separation, are evidence that execution of preventive strategies was delayed. Most countries have been chasing the pandemic after their preparedness and responses failed the test of time.

Easing quarantine rules must be premised on increased testing capacity, adequate personal protective equipment, capacity of hospitals to cope with flow of patients, and recession in case morbidity and mortality.

However, failure to avail the relevant equipment will result in incremental lockdowns, causing severe socio-economic consequences.

In high density suburbs, compliance has been severely compromised, as people move around in search of water and other basic needs. The unavailability of basic social provisions such as water and sanitation is threatening adherence to lockdown rules.

Relevant authorities must ensure uninterrupted safe water supplies to all sections of the populations, lest all efforts will be in vain. In the same vein, Government, non-governmental organisations and private sector must secure social safety nets for vulnerable populations.

Health workers, who are the frontline soldiers, should be well motivated, protected and supported in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Risk communication and community engagement strategies must address knowledge deficit and disease progression, prevalent in marginalised communities.

Generally, people under-estimate the impact of an outbreak, until the disease has claimed many victims, or is at one’s doorstep.

The Covid-19 pandemic can be underestimated at one’s risk. We are still not out of the woods and, probably the worst is yet to come.

Experts must advise accordingly, bearing in mind that Covid-19 is a complex disease, as the virus is reported to mutate severally between people. Still, the researchers are learning more as the disease progresses.

A blanket lift on lockdown exposes citizens to a more dangerous second wave of the pandemic, whereas a phased approach will help the situation.

Lifting restrictions does not translate to end of the pandemic. Stay home, keep social distancing, and practise hand hygiene.

Everisto Mapfidze is a registered general nurse who holds a Bsc Honours in Sociology (UZ). For feedback: [email protected]